11 Local Heroes Honored at Threads Of Valor Ceremony
Text and Photos
By Brianna Pitts
WARSAW — Eleven local veterans were honored at a Threads of Valor Ceremony Tuesday, May 9, in Warsaw.
The event, organized by Liberty Sewing Circle and the Senior Center, recognizes the heroes of Kosciusko County with a celebration of their service to the U.S. military, honoring them each with their own quilt.
Along with the ceremony, there was also a luncheon served for everyone after the distributing of quilts, served by the Bowen Center and catered by Black Tie Catering.
There was projected to be approximately 120 people in attendance for today’s ceremony, supporting these local veterans.
Ink Free News sat with a few of the attendees to hear about why they chose to attend. Joe Shepherd and his sister-in-law, Jackie Shepherd, have been in attendance at every ceremony since he was honored a couple years back. Along with them, Ruth Truman makes an effort to come out and honor her third husband, a World War II veteran who has since passed.
Another group of attendees who come every year are not all veterans, but take very seriously “the honoring of our country’s heroes.”
This is an event where people who are honored with quilts will return to honor others, showing how important the cause and the lasting impact it has on its honorees.
Those in attendance began the program with the American Legion Post 49 posting the colors, the singing of the national anthem and an opening prayer by Pastor Bob Brown.
David Neff, the director of the senior center, wanted to highlight the work of the Liberty Sewing Circle and the time and effort that they put into organizing the event for the veterans. Neff said, “Liberty Sewing Circle meets every Monday and Tuesday, often staying all day, sewing quilts for the veterans of Kosciusko, volunteering their time, money and sewing skills to the cause of making these local veterans feel loved and appreciated.”
Marsha Huffman, a member of the Liberty Sewing Circle, introduced the veterans. “These local heroes are the courageous cornerstone of the United States, representing qualities such as courage, pride and the dedication to duty and integrity. Everyone who served played an important part in serving our nation. Everyone who served is deserving of being honored. These quilts are made as a thank you for your service and to show our veterans that they are loved,” she said.
The 11 honorees this year are:
- Ellis “Dean” Wildman, who served in the Army from 1950-1953. He was born in Leesburg in 1930.
- Daniel Andrew Wallen was born in Kentucky and moved to Warsaw when he was 7 years old. Wallen graduated from Warsaw High School. He served in the Marines from 1964-1968.
- Grover C. Sparks was born in Milford and was drafted at the age of 19 into the Army for four years, serving two and a half years in Germany and the rest in Vietnam.
- Samuel Ralph Reiff was born in 1928. Reiff served in the Army from 1950-1952 in Korea.
- Jack McKinley was born in 1952 in Leesburg. He served in the Army from 1972-1978 in Vietnam.
- Jerome Kloser was born in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1931. He served in the Army from 1954-1956. He has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in dairy science as well as a master’s degree from Penn State.
- Marlys Rae Huffman served in the Women’s Army Corps from June 1961-1963 and March 1964-1967.
- Joe Good resides in Warsaw and served in the Navy Reserves.
- Richard Dey was born in Fort Wayne, but has lived in Warsaw for 56 years. He served in the Army from 1957-60, and said if he was ever needed to go back, he would to this day.
- Jeffrey Craddock born in 1963. Craddock served in the Army from 1988-1992 in the Gulf War.
- Lloyd John Bowerman was born in Chicago in 1945, but grew up in Mentone. He served in the Army from 1970-1971 during Vietnam.
The emotions could be felt in the room as these veterans received the quilts, honoring the time they dedicated to the United States.