Veterans honored with heartwarming Quilts of Valor, stitching together stories of bravery and sacrifice

In a world that often moves at an unforgiving pace, it is essential to pause, reflect and express gratitude to those who have selflessly served our nation. The Quilts of Valor® Foundation, a heartfelt initiative that brings warmth and comfort to veterans, is doing just that. As the profound impact of the cherished quilts is explored, a tapestry of appreciation and compassion is uncovered, uniting soldiers, veterans and communities across the nation.

Sunday, in Orchard, area residents who served this nation received personalized quilts. Led by Imogene Brasch, of Wayne, a group of quilters meet monthly at

The Quilt Shop, in Wakefield, to create the works of fabric art.

Orchard American Legion Post commander Wayne Schacht welcomed guests to the ceremony and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

After being drafted, Bill Mitteis, of Royal, served at Fort Riley, Kansas.

“He stayed there the whole time,” Brasch said.

He served in the reserves for five years serving as a private.

Curt Mitteis, of Orchard, enlisted in the Navy in July 1972. He attended boot camp in San Diego.

After completing boot camp, he was stationed on the U.S.S. Wichita, until returning to San Diego to train in electronics.

Once advanced training was complete, Mitteis was stationed on the U.S.S. Francis Scott Key, a ballistic missile submarine, based in Charleston, South Carolina.

In 1979, he transfered to the U.S.S. Groton, a fast-attack submarine, based in New London, Connecticut.

During the Iran hostage situation in 1980, Mitteis traveled to the Indian Ocean, to assist.

He was honorably discharged in 1981 as an electronics technician 1 staff sergeant.

Randy Robertson, of Orchard, was drafted in the Army in January 1967. He attended basic and advanced individual training at Fort Bliss, Texas.

In May 1967, he was sent to Germany, where he was stationed at a German air force base, guarding missiles equipped with nuclear warheads.

He received an honorable discharge in 1968, as a private first class 4.

Robertson joined the American Legion in 1969 and has served in honor guard and as post adjutant from 1977 to 1985 and 2013 to the present.

Galen Gibbs, of Orchard, was drafted Feb. 10, 1966, and spent two years in the Army.

First, he was sent to Fort Leonardwood, Missouri, for 11 days, where he received his military clothing and all shots for future assignments.

Basic and advanced individual training was completed at Fort Hood, Texas.

Brasch said most trained soldiers were sent to Germany and the remaining troops were trained to serve as drill sergeants.

Gibbs became an E5 sergeant and taught map reading and weaponry.

In 1968, he was honorably discharged.

Orchard’s John Ferguson was drafted into the Army in January 1970. In July, he was deployed to and spent one year in Vietnam, working in communications at Ben Het encampment.

The area where Ferguson served and carried out guard duty is known to have the highest concentration of Agent Orange, eliminating all green space in the area.

Once back in the mainland, Ferguson was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas, until he was discharged in 1973.

Jim Meyer, of Orchard, served in the Pacific theater during World War II, as an force investigation division investigator and returned home, to Orchard, as a sergeant. Meyer was unable to attend the presentation. His family accepted the quilt on his behalf.

Hoyt Sirek was unable to attend Sunday’s presentation and Brasch said she would visit his home to make the presentation.

“Please accept these Quilts of Valor® in grateful thanks for your service and sacrifice in defense of our country. Please use this quilt on your bed, snuggle up with it on the couch or wrap your loved ones in it. We would like you to use it to keep you warm and feel comforted by it,” Brasch said. “Welcome home and thank you for your service.”