News : Two area men receive Quilts of Valor

Two area Veterans receive Quilts of Valor created by area quilter in ceremony on Sunday

On Sunday afternoon, two area men received a Quilt of Valor thanking them for their service to our country. 

In a moving service presented at the Cedar Memorial Funeral Home several area veterans filled the room along with their families for the ceremony. 

Some spoke of their experiences, some said little, some spoke of how they tried to be tough, as they cried, but all were loved and appreciated at the ceremony.

The ceremony is a touching tribute to veterans and an opportunity to show them appreciation with this gesture. 

To watch the ceremony, and I suggest that you do, click here. (I apologize for the shaky quality in spots of the video, I was taking pictures while recording the video I'll get this figured out eventually!)

Honored in the ceremony were area Veterans Russell Kreutner an Army Vietnam Veteran. Russell talked about how he had just had the privilege of taking an Honor Flight and that about an hour before their return they had "mail call" as he spoke he was choked up as he remembered the most important part of being in the service was "mail call." 

Jim Matus also a Veteran of the Air Force who served in both Vietnam and Thailand also received a quilt. He spoke about returning to the Denver airport getting dirty looks because he was still in his uniform. Then when he arrived back in Cedar Rapids he heard a booming voice calling him, "Hey Sargeant! Did you just get back from Southeast Asia?" he replied that he had. The man said, "Has anyone bought you a drink yet?" He told the man that no they hadn't. The stranger said, "Let me be the first one to buy you a drink!" The gentleman had been in World War II and had been the first to welcome him home.

Both men received quilts made by the talented hands of Rita Moore of Vinton. 

Photos of all the veterans, their quilts and family can be seen here.

Click to watch the ceremony.