Six veterans honored with Quilts of Valor

Among awardees at ceremony in Bremen was Fulton County's Ben Severns, who served in the Navy from 1943-1946 during World War II. He was nominated by Fulton County Veterans Service Officer Ric Fouts.

Six veterans were recently honored with Quilts of Valor during a ceremony at the VFW and American Legion Post in Bremen.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation is a national organization that awards handmade quilts to veterans and service members who have been affected by war. The quilts are a token of appreciation for their service and sacrifice.

The quilts were presented by Mary Ann Lienhart Cross, a member of In The Bend – a chapter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation in South Bend. The organization, covering northern Indiana, is one of 600 throughout the nation that makes quilts to provide comfort to veterans. 

"The reason we do it is that we know many of you have never been thanked for your service that allows us to have the freedom that we do in our country," Cross told the veteran recipients. "On behalf of the national organization and In The Bend, I want to say thank you for your service."

In addition to a quilt, each veteran also was presented a case to take it home in and a certificate signed by Cross and Quilts of Valor Foundation Executive Director Lexie Millikan. 

"The Quilts of Valor Foundation wishes to recognize you for your service to our nation. We consider it our privilege to do so. Though we may never know the extent of your sacrifice to protect and defend the United States of America, we award you this Quilt of Valor as an expression of gratitude from a grateful nation," the certificate reads. 

Since its founding in 2003 by Catherine Roberts, Quilts of Valor Foundation has awarded nearly 400,000 quilts to veterans and service members. 

Among awardees at the ceremony in Bremen was Fulton County's Ben Severns, who served in the Navy from 1943-1946 during World War II. He received several medals during his service and returned home to work at Singer Manufacturing for 23 years. He also built a large sailing vessel that he and his wife lived on for two and a half years as they cruised the Great Lakes, the Eastern Seaboard and the Bahamas. Additionally, Severns wrote a book at age 92, "The Life And Adventures Of A Country Lad: Growing Up On The Farm In The Early 1900s," which was published in July 2015 and is available for purchase on Amazon.

Severns was nominated by Fulton County Veterans Service Officer Ric Fouts, who also attended the ceremony. 

Other recipients were: 

• Doyle Putman, of Argos, who served in the Army from 1951-1953, earning several medals during the Korean Conflict, as well as a combat infantry badge. 

• Mike Wood, of Milford, a Vietnam-era veteran who served in the Army from 1961-1975 as a helicopter crew chief for the 101st Airborne Division, nicknamed the "Screaming Eagles." He also served in the Army National Guard. 

• Dale Donahue, of Osceola, another Vietnam-era veteran who served in the Marine Corps from 1967-1970 in its 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion.

• Brent Van Norman, of Knox, who served in the Army and Marine Corps from 1967-1993, including three tours in Vietnam, two tours in the Persian Gulf and service during the Cold War and Gulf War, including Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He was additionally awarded two Purple Hearts for his service. 

• Don Dutol, of Mishawak, who served in the Army from 1951-1952 during the Korean Conflict. He also served in the Army National Guard.

"We are so fortunate to live in the country that we do, and it is most unfortunate how we have treated our veterans, so this is the highest honor that a citizen can bestow, and it's all to provide them a huge thank you, as well as some comfort," Cross said. 

To nominate a veteran or active service member with a Quilt of Valor or to learn more about the organization, visit its website at www.qovf.org.