Konza Prairie Quilters' Guild |
November 13 Program: Quilts of Valor Presentation VALOR is defined as "great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle." Why does the Quilt of Valor Foundation award to those who were not wounded or did not face combat? Our founder, Catherine Roberts, was a Blue Star Mother. While her son was in service, she wanted him to know that someone cared about him; she wanted to tell other Service Members that she cared about them. Quilts of Valor began as a way to express gratitude for today's all volunteer, modern military. Courage is facing an unknown future, but moving forward regardless. As a quilter, Catherine knew that Quilts = Healing. The Quilt of Valor Foundation began in 2003 with the first quilt awarded in November at Walter Reed Medical Center to a young soldier from Minnesota who had lost a leg in Iraq. The QOV movement spread quickly across the nation and beyond. In the words of Executive Director, Lori Thompson, "Not everyone answers the call to serve our country. It is those rare individuals who are selfless enough to sacrifice so much so we can all enjoy the freedom we have. We'll never know exactly what each Veteran experiences and how they are touched by was. But we can welcome our Veterans home, support them and their families, and thank them for their service whenever possible." |
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Our Honorees:
- Joe Johnson served in Vietnam as a Radio Operator with the Army Special Forces in the Mekong Delta region. Following his tour of duty in Vietnam, Joe's service took him to Hong Kong; Fort Carson, Colorado; Augsburg, Germany; and San Antonio, Texas, which included years in the Army National Guard Reservists. Additional damage exacerbated previous injuries and resulted in his right leg amputation. Joe received an Honorable Medical Discharged in 1972 and currently resides in Topeka, Kansas.
- Richard Smith served in the Army and Army National Guard Reservists, the Marine Corps, Air Force and Air Force National Guard Reservists from 1978 to 2012. During Richard's service at multiple duty stations in Germany, France, Iraq, and Somalia, included duties with the Cold War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Gulf War (Desert Shield/Desert Storm), the Persian Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom, and other conflicts. His expertise in Disaster Preparedness and Budget Analysis led him to the position of Financial Management Superintendent. After retirement, Richard worked with the U.S. Coast Guard and with the Department of Veteran Affairs where he still serves to help other veterans. Richard has been awarded numerous decorations for his service, including the Meritorious Service Medal, both Army and Air Force Commendation Medals, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and others. Richard lives in Topeka, Kansas.
- Forrest (Dennis) Whitegon served in the Navy doing coastal patrol along all rivers, coasts, and the Demilitarized Zone in Vietnam. While serving on Swift Boats deep in Viet Cong territory, Dennis was combat wounded twice and has been awarded two Purple Hearts, the Navy Commendation Medal, the National Defense Medal, and others. His stories bring a clear picture to mind of the difficult, dangerous conditions in the Vietnam theater. Dennis lives in Topeka, Kansas.
- Dan Addair served in the Army for several tours of duty including Korea, Germany, and Vietnam from 1960-1988. Dan has been awarded the Bronze Star, a Combat Medical Badge, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Cross of Gallantry, recognition from the U.S. Attorney General's office, and many other recognitions. Dan resides in Manhattan, Kansas.
- Garry Goff joined the Navy in 1968 and deployed to Vietnam three times, providing combat air support and fighter cover for ongoing operations. Garry qualified as Air Captain, Aircraft/Engine Mechanic, and final checker on the F8J Crusader aircraft. After Vietnam, Garry transferred to Squadron in San Diego, California, where he trained replacement pilots and maintenance personnel for the F8 fighter aircraft, then deployed to the Mediterranean area aboard USS America. Additional duty assignments took him back to California as a full time instructor, then to Japan. Garry's final duty was in 1994 as Commander of Nava Air Reserve Force in New Orleans. Garry's awards include the Meritorious Service Award, the Navy Commendation Award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and numerous others. Garry resides in Manhattan, Kansas.
Quilt of Valor Recipients: L to R
Joe Johnson, Joe with Lynn Colquhoun; Richard Smith and Family; Forest (Dennis) Whitegon, his wife, and Lynn; Forest and Lynn; Dan Addair, Friend, and Eloise Brown; Dan with Family; Garry Goff with his wife, Tom and Dona Koster; Garry with Family and Friends; Guests