Sixteen local veterans were honored in a ceremony Saturday at the All Vets Center in Mason City. Each veteran received a handmade quilt to recognize their service to the people and purpose of the United States.
Cecil Foell, commander of the All Vets Center/VFW Post 733, opened the ceremony with a heartfelt welcome followed by a prayer from Chaplain Norris Hughes. Then, the women of the Quilts of Valor Foundation called out each service member by name and wrapped them in the comforting warmth of a patriotic quilt made just for them.
Diane Weide, Bonnie Hardin, Kathy Scott and Terry Sprung represented Quilts of Valor Foundation, with Sprung reading each veteran’s record of service.
“We’re always so grateful when vets choose to accept the quilts. Each and every one of them deserve one, but they sometimes don’t know or have reservations about accepting,” said Weide.
Former Mason City Fire Chief and seaman Kurt Morud was present and echoed Weide somewhat. “I didn’t even know about this program until I was nominated,” Morud said.
He also told of the difficulties he had accessing services from the Veterans Administration. “I had a couple of screw-ups. When I first applied I was told one thing, the second time another. Both times I got denied. Since then, I’ve connected with Maria Dieke at the VA in Charles City and am getting the disability I should have had all these years.”
United States veterans are eligible for a host of programs through the Veterans Administration and other agencies, but many service members still struggle with their basic needs.
There are nearly 18 million veterans in the United States with almost 194,000 in Iowa alone, according to the Veterans Administration. That population is declining with time. Vets who served within the last 30 years make up the largest portion of the group, surpassing Vietnam vets only recently.
In 2022, the U.S. passed the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, expanding disability benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances, such as those from burn pits or Agent Orange. To determine eligibility, visit va.gov and create an account.
Quilts of Valor is a program designed to “cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing” quilts, according to their mission statement. Weide and the expansive list of volunteer quilters hold that mission close to their hearts as they create each quilt.
The group shares a workspace, and each crafter takes on the task that suits them best, whether it’s piecing, quilting or binding. The many hands that work on each quilt are a symbol of the many lives touched by each service member.
Any veteran who was honorably discharged can be nominated. The only requirement is that they are aware of the nomination and will accept the quilt. Quilts of Valor Foundation does not present quilts to veterans who do not want to accept them.
Quilters, crafters and others can donate time or funds to Quilts of Valor Foundation at the website or by contacting Leona Montag at (641) 749-5381.
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