Local veterans receive ‘Quilts of Valor’

Local veterans received Quilts of Valor made by the Comstock Lode Quilters on behalf of the national Quilts of Valor Foundation at an awarding ceremony on Oct. 19. 

The awarding ceremony was held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1002 building followed by a barbeque lunch.

Donna Doss, director of the Comstock Lode Quilters group, read the official Quilts of Valor Foundation letter. Although she said she had read it many times, she visibly teared up as she described how the tradition started in 2003 from the dream of founder Catherine Roberts. 

“I saw a young man sitting on the side of his bed in the middle of the night, hunched over,” Doss recited. “The permeating feeling was one of utter despair. I could see his war demons clustered around, dragging him down into an emotional gutter. Then, as if viewing a movie, I saw him in the next scene wrapped in a quilt. His whole demeanor changed from one of despair to one of hope and wellbeing. The quilt had made this dramatic change.”

Sara Dowling / LVN

Veteran Stephen Bone gets a first look at his Quilt of Valor from the Comstock Lode Quilters at the Oct. 19 awarding ceremony.

Each recipient was then called up by name, shown their quilt and wrapped in the quilt. 

The patriotic-patterned quilts all have a corner label detailing the recipient’s name and title, branch of service, wars served and the presentation date. It also says, “Created to honor & comfort those touched by war. Awarded in grateful appreciation for your service.”

At this session quilts were awarded to Rich Lopez, James Eaton, Michael Higdon, Pat Roberts, Neil Kelly, Jo Nebe, Jim “Deacon” Pellham, Al “Marty” Martinez, Sherri Rupley, Stephen Bone, Rhys “Kiwi” Pasalich, Don Ernst, James Gaither, Jim MacDowell, Henry “Hank” Schoenmeier, Jack Langford, Scott Lindeman, Michael Johnson, Carl Hacker, Tyler John-James Nott, Chris Coday, Michael Golding, Ryan Pratt, Paul Goldman and Brandon Slocum.

As he returned to the table wrapped in his quilt, Goldman said, “The dog’s not getting anywhere close to this.”

The Comstock Lode Quilters accept monetary donations as well as quilting material in red, white, blue, cream and gold colors. For information to send donations or to nominate a veteran to receive a quilt email comstocklodequilters@yahoo.com.