Quilts of Valor given to 15 local vets
Lorraine Thiele, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1957 to 1961, became the first woman to receive a Quilt of Valor from the Exchange Club of Owatonna. Staff photo by Karen M. Jorgensen
Fifteen veterans received Quilts of Honor last week courtesy of the Exchange Club of Owatonna. This year was the largest number of recipients for one year and included the first woman to receive a quilt.
Receiving quilts at last week’s program at Torey’s Restaurant were Dave Seykora, U.S. Army, 1969-1972; Roger Johnson, U.S. Air Force, 1965-1969; Douglas Kolbe, U.S. Army, 1969-1972; Arlan Burmeister, U.S. Army, 1954-1956; Richard Steffen, U.S. Marines, 1970-1972; Dr. Robert Bernet, U.S. Air Force, 1955-1957; Dennis Snyder, U.S. Army, 1969-1970; Leslie Abraham, U.S. Army, 1965-1968; Curtis Abraham, U.S. Army, 1965-1968; Michael Bryant, U.S. Army, 2003-2007; David Kenow, U.S. Army, 1959-1967; Gerald Ganfield, U.S. Army, 1968-1970; Gary Lawson, U.S. Army, 1966-1968; Lorraine Thiele, U.S. Navy, 1957-1961 and Richard Baumer, U.S. Air Force, 1960-1966.
Since the program began in Owatonna five years ago, said Emcee April Paxton, the Exchange Club of Owatonna has given 47 quilts to veterans. The Quilts of Valor program was founded in 2003 as a national non-profit organization.
Originally, Paxton said, the quilts were to recognize those wounded in combat but as time went on it was recognized that all service members sacrificed and all veterans were touched by war. Nationally, she said, more than 450,000 quilts have been given to veterans.
Each 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. The quilt says, “Thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation.”
Also included as part of the program was the POW/MIA table. Paxton explained the POW/MIA table is a small table set for one. It symbolizes the frailty of one prisoner against his oppressors. The table is rounded to show everlasting concern for the missing men. The tablecloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their motives. The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds all the life of each of the missing and the loved ones and friends who keep the faith, awaiting answers. The vase is tied with a red ribbon, a symbol of continued determination to account for the missing.
A slice of lemon on the bread plate is a reminder of the bitter fate of those captured and missing and a pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families. The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from the country, founded as one national under God.
The glass is inverted to symbolize their inability to share the evening’s toast. The flag symbolizes the commitment to which we pledge, as those honored today.