Pictured, from left in front are, Avon Bushong, John Boyle IV, Robert Leek, Joe Rose, and Deb Parker. In back are, Dan Cox, James Guffy, Jim Hackworth, Walter Hamilton, Rex Rife, Hampton Mullins and Robert Dockery.

WARSAW — Kosciusko Community Senior Services and Liberty Sewing Circle have teamed up again to offer thanks and show appreciation to local veterans. The Threads of Valor quilt presentation was held Wednesday, Nov.21, at the Kosciusko County Senior Center, 800 N. Park Ave., Warsaw.  

Liberty Sewing Circle consists of a group of ladies from the community who create quilts for local veterans. The quilts are presented at Threads of Valor ceremonies.

The event began with a performance by the Kosciusko County Purdue Extension Chorus. Guest speakers included KCSS Executive Director David Neff; Rich Maron, Kosciusko County veteran affairs officer; Jeff Grose, Warsaw councilman; Ken Locke, Salvation Army community ministries administrator; and Chris Crabtree, representative for U.S. Congressman Jim Banks.

“It’s a privilege to be here on behalf of the city of Warsaw,” said Grose, councilman and teacher at Warsaw Community High School.

“I teach social studies and I constantly remind the students that freedom is not free,” Grose said. “When you think about all the privileges we have politically, economically, socially and in the areas of faith as well we oftentimes need to be reminded by veterans like you that there is a cost involved.”

Veterans who received Threads of Valor quilts today were John Boyle IV, USMC Vietnam captain; Avon Bushong, World War II Normandy D-Day soldier staff sergeant; Dan Cox, USMC Vietnam captain; Robert Dockery, Korea USMC gunnery sergeant; Jim Hackworth, Army E-5 Vietnam; Walter Hamilton, Korea private first class; James Guffy, Marine & Army Vietnam staff sergeant; Robert Leek, Army Vietnam E4; Hampton “Hamp” Mullins, Army Vietnam sergeant; Rex Rife, Army SPL 4 Vietnam; Joe Rose, Vietnam Army sergeant; and Charles Spillman, Navy seaman 1st class World War II. Spillman was unable to attend the event due to health reasons so his daughter, Deb Parker, accepted Spillman’s quilt and certificate on his behalf. 

At noon veterans and their families were provided with a meal.