Five more Floyd County veterans draped with Quilts of Valor

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Five more veterans were each wrapped in a Quilt of Valor at a ceremony Wednesday evening at the Charles City VFW.

Mary Williams, leader of the Floyd County Quilts of Valor, led the program through a prayer, Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem, explained the history and significance of receiving a Quilt of Valor, then read a brief summary of each veteran’s service history.

“A veteran, whether on active duty, discharged, retired or in the reserves, is someone who at one point in their life wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America, to uphold and defend our Constitution for any amount up to and including their life,” Williams said during the ceremony.

“While each Quilt of Valor is awarded to a veteran, we are also expressing a heartfelt thank-you to their families,” she said. “You may not have been on the battle lines, or on the seas of the world, striving to keep all of us free, but you were the silent strength during those times and sacrificed just as much, keeping family and home together while your loved one was away. So thank you for your support and sacrifice.”

The five veterans honored Wednesday evening were:

• William Vance, Charles City – served in the Navy from 1965 to 1969; quilt pieced by Marlene Cordes, quilted by Jen Burton and draped on Vance’s shoulders by Marlene Cordes and Bonnie Huber.
• Jess Griffin, Charles City – served in the Army from 1968 to 1970; quilt pieced by Sue Heitbrink, quilted by Lisa Gebel and draped by Sue Heitbrink and Susan Shankland.
• Dale Stern, Rockford – served in the Marine Corps from 1959 to 1965; quilt pieced by Mary Williams, quilted by Teresa Landt and draped by Sharon Enabnit and Bonnie Huber.
• James Springer, Charles City – served in the Navy from 1988 to 1992; quilt pieced by Jane Grober, quilted by Tim Juhl and draped on Springer’s shoulders by Wynona Stewart and Sharon Enabnit.
• Velton “Lee” Marsili, Charles City – served in the Navy from 1992 to 2002; quilt pieced by Mirian Leaman, quilted by Joyce Laffe and draped by Miriam Leaman and Susan Shankland.

Williams said the quilts represent a heartfelt thank-you to the veterans and their families, are meant as a healing gesture, and hoped to bring tangible comfort to those who receive them.

“These quilts are an expression of gratitude, meant to say thank you and comfort you, thanking you for your service and sacrifice serving our nation,” she said.

Three of the veterans at the ceremony – Vance, Griffin and Stern – were also presented with Vietnam Veteran lapel pins.

Al Williams presented the pins, saying that most Vietnam veterans were not thanked or welcomed when they came home, so the Vietnam  War Commemoration would like to thank them now and welcome them home.

The Floyd County Quits of Valor group, part of the national Quilts of Valor, is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization with about 28 members, and has a goal of providing a quilt free of charge to all county veterans and current service member, Mary Williams said.

If any veteran from Floyd County or a family member or friend would like to have a veteran honored, contact Al Williams at 641-330-9709. Any community member in Floyd County who would like to be part of the county Quilt of Valor group and sew quilts or otherwise help out for veteran presentations should call Mary Williams at 641-330-1709.