Local quilters meet veteran challenge

Democrat photo / David A. Wilson
From left, Ward Geier (Army), Floyd Rice (Army), John Dorn (Navy) and Don Hofstetter (Army) were presented with Quilts of Valor in recognition of their service during World War II. The presentations were made Saturday, Nov. 9.
Democrat photo / David A. Wilson From left, Ward Geier (Army), Floyd Rice (Army), John Dorn (Navy) and Don Hofstetter (Army) were presented with Quilts of Valor in recognition of their service during World War II. The presentations were made Saturday, Nov. 9.

The Bookworm Sewing and Quilting Groups presented Quilts of Valor/Honor in its work with the Quilts of Valor Foundation in its mission to honor veterans.

The quilters group, which meets on Tuesdays in the upstairs of Wood Place Public Library, has been quilting for four years. The sewing group has been meeting for about two years longer.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation, found on-line at www.qovf.org, has as its mission the goal to "cover all combat service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor." It emphasizes its concern of people over politics.

On Saturday, Nov. 9, the quilters presented several of their creations to veterans in a packed house for a special ceremony upstairs at Wood Place Library. The ceremony was conducted by Judy Scott and Kathy Shoemaker assisted by members of VFW Post 4345.

The ceremony began with a special presentation to Emily Messerli in memory of her husband, Maj. Kelly David Messerli, who died earlier in the year.

Larry Fletcher, veteran, author and former California R-I Superintendent, spoke about the honor of serving and the need for each veteran to record the events of service.

Quilts were awarded to veterans in appreciation of their service.

Quilts of Valor/Honor were presented to veterans military actions of World War II, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Veterans presented with quilts were: World War II - Ward Geier, Floyd Rice, John Dorn and Don Hofstetter; Vietnam - Larry Fletcher, Don Hentges and Dave Wilson; Iraq and Afghanistan - H.J. Borghardt, Jerry Coale, Kelly Messerli, Larry Kay, Josh Mickels and Beulah Ziegs. World War II veteran Robert Barry was not present to receive the Quilt of Honor.