Perry-area veterans were honored with a special ceremony on Sunday.
The Perry Piecemakers Quilt Guild awarded Quilts of Valor to seven veterans at the Perry Elks Lodge.
Pat Mundy, with the Perry Piecemakers, shared a history of the Quilts of Valor Foundation during Sunday’s ceremony. The quilts, created by guild members, were awarded to veterans representing the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy.
The honorees included:
- E-4 Donovan Durbin, US Army, 1967-1973, from Perry
- MM-2 Robert J. Tuhn, US Navy, 1974-1980, from Perry (machinist mate)
- E-4 Matthew Smith, US Marine Corp, 1981-1985, from Perry
- Lance Corporal Lawrence Withrow, US Marine Corp, 1985-1990, from Perry
- E-5 Eugene A. Meier, US Army, 1969-1970, from Woodward
- AE 2 (Aviation Electricians MateA) Charles L. Burket, US Navy, 1975-1979, from Minburn
- SGT. Clayton Bohning, US Air Force, 1986-1990, from Nevada
Mundy also presented three veterans with a special pin commemorating their service during the Vietnam War. She talks about the importance of the Quilts of Valor award ceremony for the veterans along with their families.
“We’re very patriotic in Perry and it’s especially heartwarming to see the families come, many generations, littles up to bigs, and they sit and some with tears in their eyes and great smiles of pride. This is a way of celebrating their service. It’s also a way to carry on the memory of what their relatives had done for their country into the future.”
Mundy appreciates the support from the community for the Perry Piecemakers Quilts of Valor program.
“We are very grateful for the Hotel Pattee that allows us to sew there and sometimes we’re able to use their facilities for award ceremonies. The Elks have been very generous in their funding and particularly letting us use their facilities. We’ve got many, many supporters within the community, including veterans groups from the Perry area and 100+ People for Perry.”
The Perry Piecemakers recently received $6,800 from 100+ People for Perry during the first quarter meeting. Mundy adds that the Perry Elks also presented the group with a $1,500 check before Sunday’s ceremony.
She encourages community members to nominate veterans to receive a Quilt of Valor.
“The only way we can continue in our mission is if people nominate. We have the funds, we have the workers, we have the dedication and we need you to nominate your veteran. So we want you to be part of this. It only happens because of the public.”
Nomination forms are available at the front desk of the Hotel Pattee, the Perry Public Library or by contacting a Perry Piecemakers member.
See more photos from Sunday’s Quilts of Valor ceremony by clicking here.