TOLEDO – Tama County Public Health & Home Care and Stitch and Go Quilt Club members want to say “Thank you for your service” to all our Tama County Veterans!

Tama County Public Health and Home Care will be hosting an Open House Quilts of Valor Recognition on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 10 a.m. for several Quilts of Valor veteran recipients.

There are many different quilt groups in Tama County that have a passion to serve and share their talents by making quilts. There are many quilt projects that have supported people back to ancient times, with the earliest known being an Egyptian Pharoah’s garment around 3400 B.C. History states that they were used for both armor and bedding and have evolved into a cultural practice where artists can express themselves to their family or community in unique ways. Quilts of Valor are shared with veteran service members who have been touched by war, offer comfort, and healing. By presenting these quilts, they are a “thank you” to those who have served and sacrificed in the service of our nation.

Tama County Public Health and Home Care Director Stacy Koeppen shared a vision that a quilt be presented to the veteran clients that their agency serves. Back in August, Lori Johnson, Assistant Director/CFO, shared this vision with the Stitch and Go Quilt Club Members to see if they thought they could make/donate enough quilts for the number of clients that their agency serves, as they had presented several Quilts of Valor before in the past. After discussion and checking their “stash of material,” three members have been busy designing, machine stitching, and machine quilting the number of quilts that Tama County Public Health & Home Care needs. With the labor, fabric, batting, and cost of quilting these quilts are valued at over $200 each and are being donated graciously by the quilt members.

These three ladies were asked “What/who got you interested in making the quilts for the veterans? Who got you interested in quilting/sewing?” Each of them was influenced by their mothers.

-Quilter Terry Lyon shared, “My mom was a home economics teacher, had seven kids, four girls and she taught the girls all to sew.”

-Quilter Michelle Evans shared, “I needed to sew pants for myself for them to be long enough, tall sizes did not exist in the stores back then. I started to learn to quilt to be able to finish a quilt my mom started for my daughter.”

-Quilter Lori Johnson shared, “I learned how to adapt patterns through 4-H and home economics classes in middle school to fit, as plus-size clothing wasn’t readily available or affordable back then.”

The quilters were also asked “What/who got you interested in making the quilts for the veterans?”

-Terry shared, “My dad and one brother were in the service, never got them a Quilt of Valor, but when our boys were in and aware of the deployments, guys that came home injured and handicapped, they would have benefits option so I would send a quilt to donate/give away for it…they have mates that haven’t made it home, it just seems like a good thing to do.”

-Michelle shared, “Veteran’s is one of four groups I make quilts for. After helping with one and seeing how much they appreciated it, I have continued.”

-Lori shared, “My brother was in the Navy reserves, my father-in-law was in the service and a great-grandfather lost his life during a raid. My kids’ friends and a great-nephew are currently serving, and one ‘kid’ I made a baby quilt for Tama County Public Health, is now serving in the Navy. Some of the veterans we currently provide services for, I personally know because of my family, neighbors, and work. It gives you a way to say, ‘thank you’ for all that they are doing and have done for our country, even if it is a small token for all that they have withstood.”

All the recipients had to complete a form stating that they had not received a Quilt of Valor before. They also were asked to share their service branch, wartime or time of service, their title, job description and rank held, awards, badges, ribbons, etc., if they are a current or past member of a service related organization and, if so, which one, what they did after service (work, family, hobbies), and a comment about their service or memorable event.

Recipient #1: A Marine/Army Sergeant E5, Administrative Chief, served from 1972 – 1976 and 1987 – 2000. She shared, “My time in the service showed me what camaraderie meant, and fulfilled my social needs and my heart.” She served at Paris Island, Treasure Island, Waterloo Reserve Center, Operation Desert Shield, Iraq, Honduras, California, and North Carolina. After the service she worked at the sale barn, Security Guard at the Tama Paper Mill, and worked with dairy cows.

Recipient #2: An Army PFC shared their most memorable event was “getting ready to go to the Berlin wall.” He served from 1959 to 1962 and went in at 17 years old. He drove truck and drove a jeep officer transport. After the service he worked at Montgomery Ward, Marshalltown Sheet Metal, and Gethmann Construction.

Recipient #3: Army Sec, forward observer, captain’s driver, artillery, served in Vietnam and Berlin Era, before and during the fall. His memorable event was, “I remember John F. Kennedy came to inspect fences, also when he was shot. I do not like how Vietnam Vets were treated then.” When he came home, he was impacted by PTSD and isolated himself at first. He had a blind date that did not show, but his current wife came instead. After service he worked at Sheller Globe in Iowa City and designed machine parts that were sent to Japan.

Recipient #4: Navy 3rd class shipfitter served 1957 to 1961, he did not have any memorable events to share but he did drive truck after the service.

Recipient #5: Army PFC, was a truck driver for officers during 1952 – 1954 for the Korean War. His memorable event was “had a buddy that was backed over at night by a truck, all camped out and killed in his tent.” After service, he farmed and was a truck driver.

Recipient #6: Army, Supply E4 served from 1977 – 1980. No memorable events to share but did hold multiple jobs after the service.

Recipient #7: Army/Marines, Lineman/Computer Tech.

Recipient #8: Air Force 1st Sergeant E+ served from 1982 – 2006, active for 11 years then guard. Memorable event shared by family was that he never really talked about his service, but recipient, son and daughter were in the service at the same time for one Thanksgiving. After service, he rode his Harley and worked at Rock Island arsenal. He took care of his second wife while she was battling cancer and lost.

Recipient #9: Air Force Admin Assistant E4 served from 1988 to 1992. Was in basic honor flight, operations Desert Storm and Airman of the month. Her memorable event she shared was “I grew up playing sports. I was asked to play for the base team, and toward the end of the season, I was asked to try out for the command team, I made it. I flew to Indiana to practice and then a month later we went to D.C. to the All Air Force Tourney. My team camped out. I’ll never forget that. Since we travel, when got bad I received a nice sum of money. It was exciting.” After the service she worked in security and received her bachelors.

Recipient #10: Army CPL served from 1955 to 1959. A memorable event was going to mess hall. After service he farmed.

Recipient #11: Army Specialist Foot Class, served from 1960 to 1963, served in Germany from 1961 to 1963. He also served in 82 combat engineers.

Recipient #12: Served in the Army in 1960 as a mortar and truck driver. After the services he worked for Firestone.

Not all veterans chose to be recognized and have served their Country in silence. Tama County Public Health & Home Care and Stitch and Go Quilt Club Members want to say “Thank you for your service” to all the Tama County Veterans and for making us proud!

For more information about services through Tama County Public Health & Home Care, contact 641-484-4788. For more information about applying for a Quilts of Valor Quilt, contact Deb Husak at 641-750-2638.