Area veterans saluted with Quilts of Valor

    “They served with honor, performed their duty, and helped to ensure the freedom we have today.” A ceremony conducted by members of the Crazy Quilt Guild of Chase County Saturday, began with those words by member Linda Clements.
    Guild members presented quilts of Valor to Dave Teply, Bob Grams and Tammy Ekart during the ceremony, held at the Imperial Senior Center. An additional ceremony was held Sunday night at the VFW in Imperial, honoring James McCrumb, R.J. Mintling, James (Mick) Majors and Rick Jens.
    Quilts of Valor began in 2003 with grassroots group of quilters from across the United States with the mission to honor and comfort service members and veterans. Since then, thousands of quilts have been awarded to service members and veterans.
    This is the fourth year Quilt Guild members have honored Chase County Veterans.
    According to Clements, secretary of the Guild, this quilt “brings you a three-part message from our hearts: honor, freedom and comfort. First, we honor you for your service to our country. We honor you for leaving all that you hold dear to stand in harm’s way and protect us from war.”
    Clements added that freedom is not free. “The cost of our freedom is the dedication of lives of men and women like you. This quilt is to say ‘Thank You’ for your sacrifice.”
    Lastly, Clements said the quilt is meant to offer comfort, “to remind you that although your family and friends cannot be with you at all times, you are forever in our prayers, thoughts and hearts.”
    Serving in the Army were Teply, McCrumb, Mintling and Jens. Ekart and Majors served in the Navy, while Grams served in the Nebraska National Guard.
    Noting that Veterans Day would be recognized on Tuesday, Ekart said she would “suggest to young people to seriously consider the military. It teaches you so much.”