By AMY ADAMS
news@readthereporter.com
Over the past two weeks, 11 veterans who live at Five Star Residences of Noblesville were awarded Quilts of Valor for their service to the United States during the Korean War or the Korean War era.
On Wednesday, Aug. 28, the following veterans were presented quilts: Myrn Anderson, U.S. Navy; Glen Beaver, U.S. Army; Ross Callahan, U.S. Army; Boone Clark, U.S. Army; and Jim Gilster, U.S. Army.
On Wednesday, Sept. 4, six more veterans were presented quilts: Jim Boe, U.S. Navy; Don Hardesty, U.S. Army; Ron Jones, U.S. Navy; Don Owens, U.S. Air Force; Ed Pursell, U.S. Navy; and Jim Ricker, U.S. Navy.
“These men served with honor, performed their duty, and helped to ensure the freedom we have today,” said Dolores McNabb.
McNabb not only served as emcee for the ceremonies, she also pieced all the quilts.
Photo provided
The Quilts of Valor Foundation is a grassroots organization of quilters from across the nation begun in 2003 by quilter Catherine Roberts while her son was deployed to Iraq. Since then, nearly 400,000 Quilts of Valor have been awarded in the U.S., Germany, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
“This quilt brings you a three-part message from our hearts: honor, freedom, and comfort,” Rick Herring, son-in-law of awardee Jim Ricker, said as part of the ceremony on Sept. 4.
Donna Mazanowski, daughter of awardee Don Hardestry, shared at that same ceremony that Roberts describes the quilts as the civilian equivalent of the Purple Heart, as they are “awarded” and not just handed out.
“The Quilt of Valor says ‘thank you’ for your service, sacrifice, and valor in serving our nation,” Mazanowski said.
Jody Herring and Debbie Graham, daughters of Jim Ricker, reveal his quilt to the crowd. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)
As friends and family members helped present each quilt, they first revealed the front of each red, white, and blue quilt to the awardee and then to the audience. Each beautiful quilt garnered “oohs” and “ahhs” from the crowd.
“Each stitch that holds the layers together represents love, gratitude, and sometimes the tears of the maker,” Mazanowski said.
McNabb knows that this is true, having somewhat reluctantly admitted to piecing more than 300 of the quilts herself as part of her connection to the Valor Quilters of Olney, Ill. Since its formation in 2015, this group of quilters has sewn more than 750 quilts for those touched by war.
“I certainly don’t feel worthy to receive this quilt,” Rickman said. “It’s a privilege to be here. Thank you, Dolores, for all you’ve done in making these quilts.”
McNabb hopes to have quilts ready to donate to Vietnam veterans in time for Veterans Day but that can’t happen without donations.
Learn more about Quilts of Valor at qovf.org. and donate directly to this effort by clicking “Donate to a Local Group” and searching “Olney Valor Quilters.”
Reporter photos by Amy Adams