Editor’s note: Louise Wiersema supplied three photos, and Jerry Brearton submitted the photo of the Military Honor Guard.
On Saturday, April 13, 2019, shortly before 1:00 p.m., Ronald Wiersema, Legionnaire of The American Legion Post 328, received a handmade Quilt of Valor®, during a short presentation ceremony, at the Post, 306 E. Main Street, in Morrison, IL. Forty-two guests attended. One was the woman who nominated him to receive this tribute; she is a member of Ron and Louise Wiersema’s church family. She asked to remain anonymous.
Wiersema told the Editor he joined the Air Force in July 1966 and was discharged July 1970. This was during the Vietnam conflict. He recalled he was assigned to Thailand as a jet engine mechanic, servicing B 52 bombers and KC 135’s. The latter was a “tanker” which refueled planes in the air.
Wiersema’s QOV certificate stated, “The Quilts of Valor® Foundation wishes to recognize you for your service to our nation. We consider it a privilege to honor you. Though we may never know the extent or your sacrifice and service to protect and defend the United States of America, as an expression of gratitude we award you this Quilt of Valor®.”
It was signed by the quilt creator and presenter, Terry Austin, Moline, IL, who is affiliated with the number one group of quilters in Illinois. There are 60 participants in this Quad-Cities QOVF group. They began in May 2012 and have given a total of 1100 Quilts of Valor®, created by volunteers or donated to the group. Austin stated there is a Princeton, IL, QOVF group.
Austin showed Wiersema the label on the back of his quilt, which includes her maker’s name.
She told the Editor Quilts of Valor® started after the attacks of 9/11 for injury patients. Then, quilts were awarded to those who had been affected by war. “Now quilts are presented to all who have served,” she explained.
“I put 1000 miles on my car last year delivering quilts!” she remarked. It is worth her time and effort to literally wrap a patriot in comfort, warmth, and gratitude exemplified in the beautiful artistry of a quilter’s labor. She knows a human touch can have a profound impact on the receiver. Austin shared a story with the Editor to illustrate.
She delivered a quilt to a veteran of the Vietnam conflict, a man with horrible facial injuries that left him scared emotionally, too. As she draped a quilt around him, he began to weep. He told Austin of his decades of carrying anger and bitterness. “Because of this, now I can let all that go. This has changed me,” he told her. He finally felt appreciated for his sacrifice. His tearful wife also thanked Austin and said, “You have given me back my husband.”
Wiersema stood before his fully displayed quilt-of-many-colors. He is the second Legionnaire to be honored with such a quilt. Petty Officer USN Dennis R. VanZuiden, of Morrison, who held the right side of Wiersema’s quilt, has two Quilts of Valor®. The first was made by the Beloit, WI, Land of Lincoln Quilters and awarded in the fall of 2013, when he returned to the States, after his deployment to Afghanistan. On November 17, 2018, Nancy Hook–his nominator–gave VanZuiden a Quilt of Valor® from River Cities Quilt Guild of Fulton, IL.
Where will Ronald Wiersema display his large quilt? “Out where people can see it,” he answered. “Maybe on the back of our sofa.” He also noted it will be used “when I take a nap in my chair.”
Quilts of Valor® Foundation is a not-for-profit organization based in Winterset, IA. Across 50 states, 200,000 quilts have been lovingly designed, crafted, and awarded. Each is unique, but all share patriotic designs and colors in various shades.
For more information or to request a quilt, contact Terry Austin at 309-797-8584, austinrt@mchsi.com, or visit https://www.qovf.org.
Earlier that morning, 13 members of The American Legion Post 328 had conducted a Military Honor Guard, prior to the interment of Alvin D. Schawver on Saturday, April 13, at Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison. Shawver served in the U. S. Navy as a Yoeman 2nd Class, during WWII. On Memorial Day 2018, he was recognized as the oldest surviving veteran in Morrison. The tribute included presentation of the American flag to the family; a rifle salute; “Taps” played by Carolyn Aiken on bugle.
Families of departed veterans may request such a tribute by calling Jerry Brearton at 717-814-8844. Donations are appreciated for Honor Guard services. They help pay for uniforms, rifle maintenance, ceremonial flags, and a yearly $500 scholarship to a Morrison High School student. Families can earmark their donations for special use. In addition, the Legion Post has been updated, with a new kitchen and floor surface. The Main Street venue can be rented for gatherings.
Left-to-right are Fred Steele, Retired Sergeant-at-Arms; Legionnaires Larry Saling, Ronald Weirsema, Mike Allen, and Garry Seaman; Terry Jones, Commander; Ken Petersen, Adjutant; Jim Prombo, Legionnaire; Bob Brands, Chaplain; Jeff Steele, Legionnaire; Larry Zuidema, Jr. Vice Commander; Dennis VanZuiden, Sr. Vice Commander; Jerry Brearton, Sergeant-at-Arms/Finance Officer.
