Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
Putting cows on the front page since 1885.
– Honoring Those Who Served and Those Who Died –
Shown are some of the veterans honored at the Quilt of Honor ceremony (from left): Dominic DeRubus, John Divido, Joseph DeRubis, David Dahlin and William Radebach.
Some of the honored veterans shown are (from left): John Bubenko, Robert L. Hampton, Richard Brantner and Robert Dickson. Absent from photo is Michael DeGretto.
On Tuesday, Sept. 7, 10 veterans were awarded with Quilts of Valor. The ceremony took place at Memorial Church of the Brethren in Martinsburg.
Local veterans honored at the Quilt of Valor ceremony were Robert L. Hampton, Sr. Air Force, 1962-90; Richard Brantner, Navy, 1964-70; and Robert Dickson, Army, 1968-70.
Other veterans honored were Dominic DeRubus, Army, served 1964-66; John Divido, Army, 1968-69; Joseph DeRubis, Army, 1960-61; David Dahlin, Air Force, 1954-58; William Radebach, Army, 1951-53; Michael DeGretto, Army, 1967-70; John Bubenko, Navy, 1970-72.
As part of the ceremony, each recipient had his quilt wrapped around his shoulders as it was presented.
Catherine Roberts founded the Quilts of Valor Foundation in 2003. The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts.
The first Quilt of Valor was awarded in November 2003 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center to a young soldier from Minnesota.
According to Roberts, Quilts of Valor has standards of excellence.
"I knew a Quilt of Valor had to be a quality-made quit, not a 'charity quilt.' A Quilt of Valor had to be quilted, not tied, which meant hand or machine quilting. It would be 'awarded,' not just passed out like magazines or videos, and would say unequivocally, 'Thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor in serving our nation.'"
Quilts of Valor must be a specific size, have a label with required information, be awarded (it is not a gift) and be recorded.
Connie Shaw opened the ceremony for the Quilts of Valor presentation. Shaw's group of quilters are called Patriotic Piecemakers of Pa., located in Duncansville.
Shaw thanked everyone associated with the sewing of the quilts and those who donated materials.
Shaw's group sews the first Saturday of the month. Volunteers are needed. Even those who do not sew are welcome. Funds are also needed for administration expenses, such as website maintenance and redesign, liability insurance, state nonprofit status filings, postage for brochure mailings, and legal fees.
In the last month, 2,037 veterans have been comforted; year to date, 15,623 have been comforted; and a lifetime total of 280,883 have been comforted.
The group of women who made this possible are Vickie Butler, Barb Foor, Jennie Davis, Connie Shaw, Cathy Cicero, Eileen Court.
To nominate a person for a Quilt of Valor, you can go on the website https://www.govforg/nominations-awards/
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