Local Veterans awarded by Quilts of Valor

During a special ceremony on the evening of Tuesday, December 6, thirteen local veterans were each awarded a quilt and certificate by Quilts of Valor Foundation member Shelley Prewitt at Bristow VFW Post 3656. Quilts of Valor (QOV) awarded each veteran an original, uniquely titled quilt in honor of his or her service and sacrifice to the nation. According to VFW Auxiliary President Virginia Ray, Ms. Prewitt personally made all quilts awarded to the veterans in Bristow.

Founded in 2003, QOV strives to honor and wrap each veteran in healing and comfort. It also strives to award, rather than disseminate, the healing quilts as a means of ensuring acknowledgement of veterans’ service, sacrifice, and valor for generations to come. According to the foundation, its founder, Catherine Roberts, describes a QOV as “the civilian equivalent of a Purple Heart Award”, and as such, the foundation requires that veterans must be awarded the quilt in person. Therefore, QOV members present quilts in ceremonious style.

During Tuesday’s meeting and ceremony, each veteran stood as the focal point of the room while being presented with his or her uniquely made and titled quilt, subsequently being wrapped in it by and receiving a hug from QOV member Ms. Prewitt. Former Bristow VFW Auxiliary President Mary Tillman, who nominated the veterans for the awards prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, assisted Ms. Prewitt in awarding the quilts. QOV recipients also received a certificate noting the total number of quilts awarded by QOV and the title of his or her quilt.

According to VFW Auxiliary President Virginia Ray, local veterans awarded by QOV included Scot Thompson, Roger Stubblefield, David Ray, Daniel Harris, Sr., Chester Brown, Michael Sullivan, Larry Alcorn, Joey Gasperini, Charles Colley, Robert Leach, John Edens, Randy Takacs, and Jessee Keezer. In addition to award recipients, VFW Auxiliary members present for the meeting and ceremony included Virginia Ray, Ruth Jaytanie, Norma Carman, Maria Harris, Sheryl Cortez, Mary Stubblefield, Carolyn Kuykendall, Desiree Sullivan, and Kari Keezer. Guests present included Donna Brown with her daughter and grandchild, Chris Carman, and a veteran by the last name of Taylor.

Anyone interested in learning more or becoming a volunteer for QOV may find additional information at www.qovf.org or may contact the foundation by phone at (515) 619-6556.