By Joe Bachman

Six veterans were awarded quilts of valor on Mar. 17, presented by the Material Girls Quilt Club of Wisconsin Rapids.

The non-profit organization’s mission is to cover military veterans and personnel with healing and comforting quilts, made by local quilters. The organization began in 2003, founded by Catherine Roberts, who had a dream where a young man had been surrounded by war demons. This young man’s demeanor of despair changed into one of hope when he was wrapped in a quilt.

Roberts had a son deployed in Iraq at the time, and since 2003 the organization has wrapped over 134,000 veterans and military personnel in quilts of valor.

Karen Demaree speaking to veterans and attendees before awarding the quilts of valor. (City Times Photo)

“A quilt of valor is priceless. It can never be bought; it can never be sold or raffled; it is not a birthday or christmas gift,” said Quilts of Valor Wisconsin State Coordinator Karen Demaree.”It is given freely from the hands and hearts of the makers and their community. A quilt of valor is a thank you for your service and sacrifice.” said Demaree.

Wisconsin Quilts of Valor have awarded over 600 quilts last year, and expects to do more this year. A quilt of valor is considered a lifetime award, and each person is only given one for their service.

The six veterans honored for their service are:

Earl Arndt – U.S. Navy World War 2, U.S. Naval Air Station in Guam & Hawaii, Donald Knuth, U.S. Army World War 2, 56th Battalion, V Corps – Omaha Beach on D-Day, Pete Petrick, U.S. Navy World War 2, U.S.S. Chester (CA-27), Gordon Harmon, U.S. Army Korea, 159th Field Artillery Battalion, Headquarters Battery, Richard Lau, U.S. Army Korea, Field Artillery Battalion, and Dale Tremmel, U.S.M.C. Korea, 7th Marines, I Company, 1st Marine Division.

For more information please visit http://www.qovf.org/