Janelle Lotzer, along with fellow quilters Pam Krieg, Mary Ann Strauch, Barb Gietzen, Linda Johnson, and Net Kupferschmid presented Quilts of Valor to 10 veterans at Perham Living on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

The quilters are part of the group that presents the annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner each  November at the Frazee Event Center.

Lotzer recited the history of the Quilts of Valor national foundation founded in 2003 prior to the awarding of the quilts to the veterans.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation began in 2003 with a dream, literally a dream. Founder Catherine Roberts’ son Nat was deployed in Iraq.  

According to Roberts, “The dream was as vivid as real life. I saw a young man sitting on the side of his bed in the middle of the night, hunched over. The permeating feeling was one of utter despair. I could see his war demons clustered around, dragging him down into an emotional gutter. Then, as if viewing a movie, I saw him in the next scene wrapped in a quilt. His whole demeanor changed from one of despair to one of hope and well-being. The quilt had made this dramatic change. The message of my dream was:  Quilts equal Healing.”

The model appeared simple: have a volunteer team who would donate their time and materials to make a quilt. One person would piece the top and the other would quilt it. Roberts saw the name for this special quilt: it was Quilt of Valor, a QOV.

Since then, over 400,000 quilts have been awarded. 

“We are humbled to be awarding you a Quilt of Valor this afternoon,” Lotzer said.

Bre Stillman led the crowd of approximately 100 guests in a rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” prior to the quilts being distributed.

According to Lotzer, the group of quilters is seeking more veterans to honor. She related how an appearance at the Pelican Rapids VFW led to the group being able to return to Pelican Rapids High School on Veterans’ Day and share the experience with students.

“The school wants us back next year for Veterans Day,” Lotzer said. “They had every grade in there and it was like silence. I was impressed about how the kids received it. The feelings these guys have when they receive a quilt is just so humbling.”

The veterans honored in Perham were:

• Leonard Schrandt #323089- Leonard served in the US Army from 1954-1956 and transferred to Army Reserves from 1956-1962 during the Korean conflict. He served at Ft. Leonardwood In Missouri, Camp Chaffee in Arkansas and Ft. Lee, Virginia for Quartermaster school. He went overseas and was stationed on the Imgin River/Demilitarized Zone In Korea. He was awarded the Good conduct award and the National Defense Award. He was proud to serve his country.

• Raymond Buikka #323692- Ray served in the US Navy from 1950-1954 during the Korean Conflict. He started in Norfolk, Virginia and was on the USS Sierra (AD-18) as a watchman to the Mediterranean Sea as relief of the destroyer tender USS Shenandoah.

• Robert (Bob) Williams #325068- Bob served in the US Air Force from 1956-1993 during the Cold War. Bob served in the Air Force for 37 years and was discharged as a Senior Master Sargent. He served as a flight chief and chased Russian bombers. He was deployed to Alaska, Canada, Iceland and Panama and along the east coast. He received the Cold war ribbon and several exceptional performance awards.

• Wayne Quittschrieber #323082- Wayne served in the US Army from 1957-1958 during the Cold War. Wayne was stationed in Ome, Germany as they were shorthanded. His duties were Medic in a 20-bed hospital working nights. He volunteered at age 19 and enjoyed it! Trained in Ft. Carson, Colorado and took care of GI’s and dependents.

• Lawrence Rosenthal #322920- Larry served in the US Navy from 1969-1975 during the Vietnam era. He served on the USS Camden AOE hauling beans, bullets, bombs, and black oil as well as nuclear missiles all over the western hemisphere, mainly Vietnam. Larry served 4 tours in Vietnam. His duties were electrician and watchstand in the generator room. Awards received were the Vietnam Service medal, American service medal, and expert marksmanship award medal (rifle & pistol)

• Frank Noyes #323079- Frank served in the USS Navy from 1957-1961 during the Vietnam era. Frank was a radar man on the USS Gurke stationed in Hawall, Guam, Midway, Hong Kong and Vietnam. He was in radar charge of air search, tracking other ships, advising the captain In certain situations. Frank’s duties also included missile tryouts in the Pacific.

• John (Dick) Omach #323091- John served in the US Air Force from 1966-1968 during the Vietnam era. John was a captain stationed on the Travis Air Force Base in California. His duties were dentist taking care of soldiers’ teeth.

• Norbert Litzau #323676- Herb served in the US Army from 1966-1969 during the Vietnam era. He started right out of high school in basic training at Ft. Leonardwood, Mo. He was deployed to Germany for 1 year then came home and got married to his wife Carol and they went back to Germany together. He then served in Germany at Kitzinger Army Airfield receiving and distributing rations and supplies. He had additional schooling to then become a water purification tech.

• Mark Lehman #323996- Mark served in the US Air Force from 1961-1982 with a rank of Major Sargent during the Vietnam era. He was deployed to the Philippines and Thailand in the 60s then deployed to England 1972-1975 and then deployed to Japan in the late 70’s. He worked on planes during Vietnam and moved to electronics the rest of his service career. Mark served 21 years and 21 days!

• James Clark #324101- Jim served in the US Army from 1961-1964 during the Vietnam era. He was deployed to Nurenberg, Germany to guard the Czechoslovakian border. He manned a 50 caliber machine gun on a howitzer.