MONROE - When Sugar River quilters Nancy Dorl and Linda Stolts draped George Wells' Quilt of Valor over his shoulders, he said he felt proud.
The Sugar River Quilters gave the quilt to Wells, a Korean War Air Force veteran, during the Veteran's Breakfast at the Behring Senior Center Wednesday morning.
Altogether, six veterans received Quilts of Valor on Wednesday.
In addition to Wells, quilts were awarded to Mike Furgal, a Vietnam War veteran of the U.S. Marines; Bill Haffele, a Vietnam War Army veteran; James Jeremiason, who served during the Berlin Crisis from 1959 to 1961; Mike Rufener, a member of U.S. Army Intelligence during the Korean War; and Walt Marty, a World War II Army veteran.
The quilts are part of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, an organization that gives homemade quilts to veterans as recognition for their service.
Vicki Sasso started the Sugar River Quilters about three years ago, and the group has quilted more than 400 quilts since. They have already awarded 120 quilts to Green County veterans this year. Each quilt takes about three months to complete.
Haffele said he found the experience to be unique and touching. He plans to hang his quilt for display at home.
"I guess after all these years, people do care," Haffele said.
Sasso said a Quilt of Valor is the civilian equivalent of a Purple Heart. She takes pride in awarding the quilts, she said, because in some instances it's the only time a veteran has received any recognition, especially Vietnam veterans.
"It has so much meaning because it comes from the general people," Sasso said.
Because of its significance, Wells isn't sure what to do with his Quilt of Valor.
"You'd hate to use it right away," Wells said. "I'll leave that up to my wife. She'll tell me what to do with it."
The Sugar River Quilters gave the quilt to Wells, a Korean War Air Force veteran, during the Veteran's Breakfast at the Behring Senior Center Wednesday morning.
Altogether, six veterans received Quilts of Valor on Wednesday.
In addition to Wells, quilts were awarded to Mike Furgal, a Vietnam War veteran of the U.S. Marines; Bill Haffele, a Vietnam War Army veteran; James Jeremiason, who served during the Berlin Crisis from 1959 to 1961; Mike Rufener, a member of U.S. Army Intelligence during the Korean War; and Walt Marty, a World War II Army veteran.
The quilts are part of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, an organization that gives homemade quilts to veterans as recognition for their service.
Vicki Sasso started the Sugar River Quilters about three years ago, and the group has quilted more than 400 quilts since. They have already awarded 120 quilts to Green County veterans this year. Each quilt takes about three months to complete.
Haffele said he found the experience to be unique and touching. He plans to hang his quilt for display at home.
"I guess after all these years, people do care," Haffele said.
Sasso said a Quilt of Valor is the civilian equivalent of a Purple Heart. She takes pride in awarding the quilts, she said, because in some instances it's the only time a veteran has received any recognition, especially Vietnam veterans.
"It has so much meaning because it comes from the general people," Sasso said.
Because of its significance, Wells isn't sure what to do with his Quilt of Valor.
"You'd hate to use it right away," Wells said. "I'll leave that up to my wife. She'll tell me what to do with it."