11 vets receive ‘Quilts of Valor’

Eleven local veterans received Quilts of Valor at an awards ceremony held Thursday at Torey’s in Owatonna.

Sponsored by The Exchange Club of Owatonna, the quilts went to Jordan Vore, Kenneth Kelper, Dennis Burggraff, Thomas Bretl, Donald Thiede, Jerry Demars, Richard Ferguson, Russel Karlen, Bruce Meier, William Gordon and David Lewis.

The Exchange Club has been involved with the Quilts of Valor program since 2022, said member April Paxton. A Quilt of Valor is a quality handmade quilt that is machine or hand quilted. It is awarded to a service member or veteran who has been touched by war.

Paxton said that the first year, 2022, the club had no idea if anyone would buy tickets to the event or come to the program. That year, five quilts were given to veterans and 60 people attended. Each year, the event has grown, she said, and the 2025 program feature 11 quilts presented and 174 people attending the ceremony.

This year’s quilters included Paxton, Lynn Krause, Susan Powell, Lauri Jensen, Valery Robertson, Lynda Paxton, Debe Grunklee, Mary Woodhill, Pam Mikeworth, Nancy Stewart, Kathy Honsey and Jackie Niedfeldt.

As the quilts were wrapped around each veteran’s shoulders, Paxton read a brief summary of the individual’s service:

Jordon Vore served in the Air Force from 1980 to 2000. His rank at discharge was Staff Sergeant. Vore was deployed to Kunsan Air Base Republic of Korea, Clark AFB Philippines, Kadena AFB Japan, Andersen AFB Quam and supported operation Desert Shield/Storm. He was assigned to the Tactical Air Command, Strategic Air Command and Pacific Air Forces. His duties while serving were: Aerospace Ground Tech, Aerospace Propulsion Tech, Aircraft Structural specialist, Special Purpose Vehicle and Equipment Tech. He spent 12 years active duty and eight years Air Force Reserve/Guards. 

Vore received the Air Force Commendation Medal, Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal with three Oak leaf clusters, Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Longevity Service Award Ribbon with one Oak Leaf Cluster, NCO PME grad Ribbon, Small Arms Marksmanship ribbon and AF Training Ribbon. He is a lifetime member of the VFW and has been the acting commander for the past three years. He has also been a member of the Steele County Honor Guard for the past five years.

Kenneth Keiper served in the Army from 1953 to 1954. His rank at discharge was Corporal.  Keiper was deployed to Pusan and Inchon Harbors in Korea and assigned to the 501^st Transportation Company as an electrician on watercraft. This invasion was a significant turning point in the Korean conflict. He received the Korean Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation GO 62 August 19, 1954. He belongs to the Owatonna RC modelers club, is a member of the American Legion, NorthWest Bell Telephone Company Pioneers and Good Shepherd Church.

Dennis Burggraff served in the Marines from 1964 to 1967. His rank at discharge was "sergeant". He was deployed to Vietnam and assigned to Delta 1-9. He served in the front lines as a Marine Radio Carrier and received the Vietnam Service Medal (2d Award), National Defense Service Medal, RVN Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Rifle Marksmanship Badge and Pistol Marksmanship Badge. Burggraff served in his local VFW for years.

Tom Bretl served in the Army from 1969 to 1971. He was deployed to Vietnam and assigned to Provo Company 1^st of the 8^th Cavalry. He was an Infantry-Point man for seven months near Cambodia seeing much combat. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Bronze Star Medal 1^st Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Army Commendation Medal With/Valor Device.

Don Thiede served in the Navy from 1961 to 1966. His rank at discharge was AZ3. His first year was Boot Camp training. His next two years were in Argentia Newfoundland, Keflavik Iceland and the last year and six months at Helicopter Squadron in Lakehurst, N.J.

Thiede was part of a crew assigned to aircraft carriers USS Lexington (CVS-16) and USS Saratoga (CVA-60), where he was an aircraft engine mechanic, electronic counter measures operator and log/records technician. The logging and recording of hours flown by aircraft and helicopters was needed to make sure they did not exceed operating hours. His four-year tour was extended six months because of the Cuban Missile Crisis. He received the Good Conduct Medal (First Award) for period of service ending Oct. 23, 1965.  He has spent nine years with Toys for Tots, Owatonna and 12 years as Steele County Free Fair Auto Museum volunteer.

Jerry Demars served in the Navy from 1968 to 1970. He was deployed to Vietnam, Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and the Philippines. He was assigned to the USS Ranger aircraft carrier and was a phone talker on the flight deck. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon. He has been a 4-H Leader, youth leader at church, Sunday school teacher, Bohemian Cemetery Board member and member of the Owatonna Curling club.

Richard Ferguson served in the Army from 1980 to 1992. His rank at discharge was sergeant. He was deployed to Baumholder, Germany, assigned to the 1^st Battalion 87^th Infantry and 1^st Battalion 13^th Infantry 8^th Division. He was a TOW heavy antiarmor weapons infantryman. 

He received the Army Service Ribbon, Army lapel button, National Defense Service Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, Driver Badge-W, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal w/3^rd Award, Army Achievement Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Development Ribbon-2, Expert Badge (Rifle M-16). He was involved with Meals on Wheels, the Steele County Honor Guard, president of the American Legion Grandfathers Club 2016 and president of the VFW Auxiliary 2022-2023.

Russel Karlen served in the Army from 1964 to1967. His rank at discharge was Specialist 5. After completing 15 weeks of mechanic training, he was assigned to the USS Breckinridge. In San Diego the ship picked up 4,000 marines and were deployed to Vietnam. He then was deployed to Korea where he was assigned to an Armor Unit guarding the DMZ. 

Karlen received the National Defense Service Medal, Sharpshooter (Rifle) Badge, and Marksman (Pistol) Badge. He is a member of the American Legion Post 77 and life member of the VFW Post 3723

Bruce Meier served in the Navy from 1967 to1973. His rank at discharge was Third Class Metal Smith. He was deployed to Vietnam and assigned to the USS Hancock Aircraft Carrier. His duties were Air Frame Power Plant Hydraulics. Meier received the National Defense Service Medal – Good Conduct (First), Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal. He is involved with helping other Veterans with PTSD and has been playing music at various nursing homes for the past 10 years. 

Willian Gordon served in the Navy from 1959 to 1963. His rank at discharge was 3^rd Class Machinery Repairman. He was assigned to the USS Walke (DD723) during the Korean Conflict and was a machinist repairman. He has participated in Veterans Day programs at his great-granddaughters elementary school every year for the past 10 years.

David Lewis served in the Army from 1969 to 1971. His rank at discharge was specialist 5th class. He was deployed to Vietnam and assigned to the 9^th Infantry Division, Tan An and the 516^th Personal Service Company Da Nang. His duties were vehicle radio repairman and TAB equipment repairman. 

He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Army Sharpshooter Marksmanship Badge M-14 and the Expert Marksmanship Badge M-4. He belongs to a veteran group, has been active Gideon member since 2008 and participates weekly in Bible distribution, planning and church speaking activities.