Michael Christopherson, left, receives a Quilt of Valor from a Comstock Quilters volunteer Janis deLongchamps.
High Desert Grange conducted a special ceremony Dec. 10 at the American Legion Hall in Fallon to honor seven veterans with a Quilt of Valor.
Partnering with the Grange was Comstock Quilters, which has presented more than 1,500 quilts during the past eight years. Comstock Quilters partnered with the Grange to personally present each veteran with his own quilt, which are handmade with love and respect for their service.
Marsha Strand of Comstock Quilters shared the history of the Quilts of Valor Foundation from its inception in 2003. Born from a dream of a young, despondent veteran, the program began with founder Catherine Roberts who saw a man wrapped in a quilt that changed his demeanor to one of hope and well-being.
The dream’s message was clear: Quilts equal healing. Roberts set about creating the Quilts of Valor Foundation where volunteers would gather to donate their time and materials to make quilts unique to each individual recipient. The quilts would be handmade, which means either hand or machine quilted, not tied.
These quilts are not “charity” handouts. Each one is “awarded” and contains the inscription Thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor in serving our nation.
In addition to Strand, several more Comstock Quilters personally awarded each quilt. Following are the names of the recipients and a brief overview of their service:
• Michael Christopherson – Navy 1989-99, Gulf War and Operation Restore Hope
• Charles “Chuck” Cook – Navy 1964-68, Vietnam
• Jim Falk – Navy 1954-74, Vietnam
• Michael Gardner – Navy 2000-08, Operation Enduring Freedom and the War on Terrorism
• Christopher Hansberry – Marine 1988-2011.
• Terry Peterson – Marine serving during Vietnam
• Don Scott – Navy 1962-68, Motorboat Operator
Courtesy of Gloria Montero
From left are Christopher Hansberry, Don Scott, Terry Peterson, Michael Gardner, Jim Falk and Charles “Chuck” Cook.
When asked if there was something he wanted to say, Falk answered, “I would do it all over again.”
Scott’s first duty station was Naval Air Technical Training at Naval Air Station Glencoe (Illinois). He then served on the USS Plymouth Rock LSD 29.
The Armed Services Expeditionary Medal and the National Defense Service Medal were awarded him for his part in ending the Dominican Republic uprising. During the Vietnam War, Peterson was shot in the left arm and hand.
High Desert Grange will be taking names for their next presentation of Quilts of Valor. If you have someone in your family or a friend you would like to nominate for a quilt, contact High Desert Grange at http://www.grange.org/highdesertnv22/ or Gloria Montero at 775-427-8210.