Five area veterans honored by Quilt Guild

Five area veterans received tokens of gratitude from the River Heritage Quilt Guild during its annual Quilts of Valor presentation Monday evening at the Cape Girardeau public library.

Dr. Ron Lessmann, Robbie Stagner, Darrell Gallaher, Marti Martin and Tom Wolfe were presented quilts.

Lessmann, a United States Naval Academy graduate, served in the Navy for 21 years and is a local dentist.

Thelma Stone presented World War II Army veteran Tom Wolfe with his quilt, explaining the two had been friends for 65 years.

"You are one of the greatest generation," she said. "You served in WWII and the Army Air Corps, and we are honored to present you with this Quilt of Valor with thanks and appreciation."

At 93, Wolfe was the oldest veteran of the group, and Stone said she nominated him because she wanted someone from that generation to participate in the ceremony.

"My husband was with [Wolfe] in England, France, Belgium and Germany, and I know he's a very patriotic citizen," she said.

Carol Gallaher, moved to tears, presented her childhood sweetheart Darell Gallaher, a Vietnam veteran, with his quilt.

"I've known him since he was 11 years old," she said after choking up.

Raven Simms presented a quilt to the only woman veteran honored, Marti Martin, who served in the Army from 1969 to 1972.

Quilter Mary Green presented a quilt to U.S. Marine Corps veteran Robbie Stagner, who served in Afghanistan.

Quilter Regina Tucker explained the history of giving quilts to veterans.

"When they started doing this a few years ago across the country, the Vietnam vets especially, they said that it meant a lot to them, since some of them had never been thanked before," she said.

"My husband, I made one for him, and the first thing he said was that he wanted to be buried in this quilt."

As far back as the Civil War, soldiers were given quilts as bedrolls. If they were killed in battle, they would be buried, wrapped in their quilts, Tucker said.

"The first thing they want to do is wrap themselves up in it," she said. "It's a very rich heritage we have, and these ladies are keeping it alive."

tgraef@smissourian.com

388-3627