Latest news with #QuiltofValor
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sioux City man receives ‘Quilt of Valor' for service in Vietnam War
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — Friends and family gathered together on Friday for a Quilt of Valor Ceremony, which gives a veteran a quilt to say thank you for their sacrifice for our country. The idea of the quilts first started in 2003 to honor veterans being deployed to Iraq, but over the years, the quilts have been given to all veterans. On Friday, firefighter and Vietnam Veteran Dennis Hageman received his own. 'This quilt, it means $1,000,000 to me, like they said, it's warming. Kind of warms my heart and my hands holding it. I'm very appreciative, and thank you very much. I'm glad to see family, friends, and let them experience it with me. You know, I don't know what to say,' expressed Hageman. Hageman served as a firefighter for the Sioux City Fire Department for 32 years and served as an Engineman, Harbor Security, Patrol Boat Engineer and Admiral Barge in the Vietnam War. Sioux City Marina reopens to the public The quilter that made Hageman's the blanket said, when she heard Hageman hadn't received one, she knew she had to make one. 'I love doing it. I love the quilt, but I have a special feeling for these guys that were in Vietnam when they came back,' said Martha Klatt, the quilter for the Quilt of Valor. 'They didn't get a good welcome at all, and this is kind of their welcome home, and in to kind of make up for some of what they experienced when they came back and all they had gone through.' Hageman said seeing friends, family and the quilt brought back many memories. 'It brings a lot of memory back to a friendship with Gordon and ray and with Marty and whatever, and it brings that brings a lot of a lot of feelings back, you know, of time spent, you know, on the even in an air national guard between that and the Sioux City Fire Department. I spent a lot of time with the 232 incident on tour, you know, the days I wasn't at the Sioux City Fire Department, I was with the 185th Fire Department out there, so it reflects of a lot of good times and a lot of sorrow, and it was good time,' said Hageman. Throughout the Quilt of Valors' lifetime, 420,000 quilts have been made by hundreds of volunteers, and each quilt has meaning. The top layer represents the communities and the individuals that we are. The middle layer, or the filler, represents warmth and comfort. The backing represents strength. Local group sparks dialog on the human condition through 'library' event 'Each piece has some meaning, and you're thinking about, you know, what they've experienced, and we can't even imagine what they've experienced. But, you know, to put that together for them means a lot. You know, it's amazing what they have done and what they've accomplished and are continuing to do,' said Klatt. Hageman and his quilt are now officially registered with the Quilt of Valor Foundation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Quilts of Valor: Honoring Kentucky veterans with handmade tributes
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — In communities across Kentucky, a dedicated group of volunteers is working tirelessly to honor veterans through the Quilts of Valor Foundation. These handcrafted quilts serve as tangible expressions of gratitude, wrapping service members in comfort and appreciation for their sacrifices. Each quilt is meticulously crafted, often taking between 30 and 50 hours to complete. Volunteers frequently use their own resources to purchase materials, ensuring that every stitch reflects their commitment to honoring those who've served. Human skeletal remains found in Meade County Lexington crews respond to multiple mobile home fire Quilts of Valor: Honoring Kentucky veterans with handmade tributes The presentation ceremonies are poignant events where veterans are publicly recognized for their service. During these ceremonies, each veteran is draped with their personalized quilt as their military achievements are recounted, providing a moment of reflection and acknowledgment. Carolyn Elliott, Kentucky state coordinator for the Quilts of Valor Foundation, emphasizes the significance of these gestures: 'How do you pay back somebody for the years of their service, the things they have gone through, and the nightmares they have seen? I don't know of a way… but this is our humble way of doing it… and letting them know that people care.' The impact of these quilts extends beyond the ceremonies. For many veterans, receiving a Quilt of Valor is a deeply emotional experience, symbolizing recognition and appreciation that they may not have previously felt. List: 5 Big Lots stores in Kentucky reopening this week Lexington eatery makes OpenTable's 'Top 100 Brunch Restaurants' in the US Study: Kentucky is the toughest state to own an EV in The Quilts of Valor Foundation continues to seek volunteers and nominations to ensure that every deserving veteran receives this heartfelt tribute. With over 270 veterans currently on the waiting list in Kentucky alone, the need for support remains significant. For more information on how to contribute or nominate a veteran, visit the Quilts of Valor Foundation website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local veteran honored with Quilt of Valor
The Ioni Creek 4-H held a special ceremony Thursday night at the Anderson County Courthouse Annex to present Veteran Robert Mike Richbourg with a Quilt of Valor. Richbourg served in the U.S. Army from 1993 to 2011, serving as an infantryman and combat medic. He was stationed in Texas, Georgia and Germany and was deployed on several humanitarian missions. He is a combat veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was honorably discharged in 2011. During the special ceremony, Ioni Creek 4-H leader Amy Jones gave Richbourg a special certificate from Rep. Cody Harris. Jones also shared with those in attendance the meaning of a Quilt of Valor. According to Jones, the quilt has a three-part message of honor, freedom and comfort. 'First we honor you for your service to our country in the United States Army. We honor you for leaving all you hold dear to stand in harm's way in a time of crisis, protecting us from the effects of war. 'Next we know that freedom is not free. The cost of our freedom is the dedication of lives of men and women like you, and this quilt is meant to say 'thank you' for your sacrifice. 'And finally, this quilt is meant to offer comfort to you, and to remind you that although your family and friends cannot be with you at all times, you are forever in all our thoughts and hearts,' Jones said. The 4-H members who helped make the quilt then surrounded Richbourg and wrapped him up with the quilt, much like a hug. Jones said the Quilt of Valor is described as the civilian equivalent of a Purple Heart. 'The quilt says thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor in serving our nation,' she said. 'I want to say thank you for that quilt,' Richbourg said. 'I guarantee I'll sleep with it every night. I do have a Teddy bear I sleep with, but the quilt is gonna take its place. We all need comfort at times, we really do. Thank you to everybody that showed up. It was my pleasure and my honor to serve my country, and the people, and I will continue to do my part as an American. I appreciate it, thank you all.' At the conclusion of the ceremony, those in attendance enjoyed cookies, cupcakes and other treats provided by Ouida Mathis, Susie Wolf, Jessica Moore, Betty Pierce and Amy Jones.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Vietnam War veterans honored in Saline County
BENTON, Ark. – Vietnam War veterans gathered with their loved ones Monday at the Saline County Courthouse to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the war's end. Lance Corporal Billingsley served in the United States Marine Corp. and was one of the four at the event. He received a one-of-a-kind Quilt of Valor for his service. Fallen Vietnam War veterans honored in Saline County ceremony Billingsley said it was an honor to be surrounded by residents of Saline County, thanking him and others for the sacrifice they made over 50 years ago in Vietnam. 'I was in '69, 1969 to 1972,' Billingsley said. 'I went in as a kid, 19 years old, and I learned a lot.' Billingsley said they had a two-year program to go to Vietnam at the time and that he knew he had to go without question. 'I was ready to make a change, I was, I was also understanding that the things that I did were very dangerous, and I said I've got to find a safe house if I'm ever going to make it back,' Billingsley said. Arkansas veteran of 3 wars turns 100 When asked what the word freedom means, he said 'it means the world to me.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Veterans honored with handmade quilts at Barton County Memorial Park
LAMAR, Mo. — Honoring those who served our country, one quilt at a time. Eight veterans were awarded a handmade Quilt of Valor today at the Barton County Memorial Park. Six of them served during the Vietnam War. The quilts represent healing, and each comes with a message saying 'thank you for your service, sacrifice, and valor in serving our nation.' Recipients came from Barton, Dade, and surrounding counties. Along with handmade, one of a kind quilts, Vietnam veterans were also presented with pins commemorating their service. Families were invited to support their loved ones and take pictures after the quilt presentation. Tom Shields served for 39 years, including overseas and in the National Guard. He tells us he enjoyed seeing his classmates honored alongside him. 'I thought it was great. I had a lot of friends, classmates that were getting this honor. And I just think it's it's just amazing for all veterans to be able to do this,' said Tom Shields, who served overseas and Missouri National Guard for 39 years. 'This is such an amazing organization that does this for these veterans because they do so much for our community. And sometimes they're overlooked. So to be able to present them with this honor is incredible to be a part of,' said Brenna Morey, Quilts of Valor Foundation volunteer. Shields hopes more veterans can be nominated and honored with a Quilt of Valor for their service. You can learn more about how to nominate a veteran on their website, here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
