On Sunday, May 3, the Southwest Oklahoma Chapter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation was proud to present quilts to three veterans from the Washita and Custer County areas at the Awards ceremonies at Peace Lutheran Church in Bessie.
The three veterans who received their Quilts of Valor are: Alfred Miller (US Army, Korean Conflict), Denver Horn (US Army, Vietnam War), and Larry Goeringer (US Army Reserve, Vietnam Era).
Quilts of Valor Foundation was begun in 2003 by a woman, Catherine Roberts, with a dream of using quilts to help the healing process for veterans returning from service overseas and as a way to recognize and thank veterans who have been touched by war. The quilts that are awarded are quality, hand-made quilts that were sewn with love and gratitude by a large group of volunteers who stitch these quilts so that the veterans can be “hugged” and covered by their quilts. Part of the ceremony in presenting the quilts involves draping the quilts around the awardees. Over 440,00 quilts have been presented to date all over the US and in other countries as well.
Alfred Miller is a longtime resident of Washita County and lives near the Washita River. In addition to serving in the US Army at Ft Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, he served the people of Washita County as an elected Washita County commissioner for many years before retiring to his farm.
Denver Horn is also a resident of Washita County near Corn and served as a sergeant in the US Army in Vietnam. He was awarded both a Purple Heart medal and a Combat Infantry Badge during his service to our country. He is active in the local community and is a frequent volunteer delivering meals for the Cordell Senior Citizens Center.
Larry Goeringer grew up in the Bessie area of Washita County and now lives in Clinton. He served during the Vietnam area in the US Army Reserve. Larry was a long-time communications officer for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol in Clinton before he retired in 1997.
Thank you, veterans, for your service to our country!
Additional information about the Quilts of Valor Foundation can be obtained at the foundation website: www.qovf.org