‘She's very special' East Tennessee veteran continues to serve others
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — More than 60 years ago, Kathleen Van Orsdel joined the US Air Force just as the Vietnam War was heating up. Now she continues to serve in different ways.
Van Orsdel is a skilled artisan. She designs and creates three-layered textile works of art: quilts.
The veteran is one of three female veterans serving in the East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard. The unit presided over 300 funerals last year.
'It thrills me that I am able to go and do a final farewell to someone who has served my country. I think that every one of us who goes out realizes that the individual deserves every bit of respect and honor that we as an Honor Guard can give them,' said Van Orsdel.
Vietnam veteran helps other vets 'heal' with visits overseas
Van Orsdel joined the US Air Force in 1964, at the beginning of the Vietnam War. She was 19 at the time.
'I'm unique, because there are not a lot of women veterans from the Vietnam Era. There are more women in the military today, but back in the 60s, there weren't,' said Van Orsdel.
As a former airman and mom, she has a special passion for using her talents to make Quilts of Valor. At an event in White Pine, the recipient was an Iraq War veteran. Kevin Gilliam served in the US Coast Guard, then in the US Army as a member of the 82nd Airborne, where he was deployed to Iraq. Many veterans in the audience were wowed by Kathleen's artistry.
'You happen to have one of the quilts that I made for a veteran and I'm so pleased to be able to present it to you,' said Van Orsdel during the event.
'She's very special, she means a lot to us, everything she's done in the service and after service,' said Gilliam.
Van Orsdel and her crew have created hundreds of Quits of Valor, and she doesn't plan on stopping. For Van Orsdel, there is nothing better than making a veteran happy.
Veterans Voices: Hear the stories of those who served
If you know a Veteran who could be recognized, send Don Dare an email at ddare@wate.com or give him a call at 865-633-6923.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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