Eleven veterans were honored Tuesday with quilts during the Liberty Sewing Circle’s Threads of Valor presentation.
Those honored Tuesday were Michael Coy, Jeremy Doerr, Douglass Farrell, Carolyn Gunder, Henry Miller Jr., Justin Raymer, David Richards Sr., Michael Walsh, Otis Williams, Gail Martin and Ralph Vincent.
Liberty Sewing Circle coordinator Marsha Huffman said this was the 18th time for the event.
In fall 2015, several local ladies started meeting at Warsaw’s Veterans of Foreign Wars to make quilts for veterans in Kosciusko County in nursing homes and homeless shelters in Warsaw, Huffman said. A special request was made to the Liberty Sewing Circle to make a large quilt for a veteran in a nursing home to celebrate his 90th birthday. The Circle’s vision grew with that by making standard-sized quilts for nominated veterans in Kosciusko County.
She said the group needed a time and place to meet. It was worked out the Circle would meet at the Senior Center. So far, over 446 quilts have been presented to veterans.
The quilts are given as a token of appreciation to local veterans to thank them for their service and sacrifices.
Huffman said there have been some nominated veterans “decline for various reasons.” Some of the reasons were to give the quilts to someone older or more deserving or the veteran never saw combat.
She asked veterans to remember they may not have seen battle, but they are no less important. One thing she reminded people is the homefront needed to be defended as well.
Huffman said the veterans at Tuesday’s event came from different walks of life, but they hold similar qualities: courage, pride, determination and dedication to duty and integrity. All of those qualities are needed to serve a cause greater than themselves.
David Neff, executive director of the Kosciusko Senior Services, said the country is currently divided. He reminded those in attendance at the event, veterans didn’t just fight for Democrats or Republicans, they fought for Americans.
Neff said he hears the words “to honor veterans” and he responds. He thinks honoring veterans is something the country needs to continue to do.
Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose said attendees extend their deepest gratitude to those that served. He reminded those in attendance freedom isn’t free.
Grose said veterans know how to lift up those around them, noting service comes in many shapes and sizes. He said veterans have shown the country the way and “it is up to us to follow the way.”
Coy served in the Air Force and obtained the rank of sergeant. He served in the Vietnam Warsaw from 1973-77. He was in the Reserves before and after being in the Army.
Doerr was in the Army, obtaining the rank of corporal. He served during the Desert Storm era.
Farrell served in Vietnam in the Army from 1968-69. He was an E-5.
Gunder was in the Navy.
Miller was in the Army, obtaining the rank of staff sergeant. He was in the Army for 13-1/2 years and was a heavy equipment operator.
Raymer was in the Army during Iraqi Freedom.
Richards was in the Army from 1957-60. He was reactivated in 1961 and left again in 1962.
Walsh was in the Army for 1990-93 during Desert Storm. One of his deployments was to Saudi Arabia.
Williams was in the Army infantry.
Martin served in the Korean War.
Vincent served in the Army during the Vietnam War from 1964-67.