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Photos by Anngee Quinones-Belian/Staff Correspondent The Honor Guard with American Legion Post 96 in Murphy presented the colors on June 12 at Shepherd of the Mountains Church during a luncheon to honor the service of local veterans. -
Veterans who attend church at Shepherd of the Mountains received a handmade quilt in appreciation for their faithful service to the country. They were honored on June 12 with lunch and a quilt of their choosing.
Murphy – About 33 veterans, including almost every branch of the U.S. military, were honored for their sacrificial service at Shepherd of the Mountains Church on June 12.
A few veterans were unable to attend the ceremony, but all attend Shepherd of the Mountains and were recognized at the luncheon.
It all started when Susan Roper made a quilt for a veteran in appreciation for his service. She said God laid it upon her heart to continue making quilts for other veterans at Shepherd of the Mountains, where she attends services.
Just before lunch, the Honor Guard from American Legion Post 96 in Murphy presented the colors.
One by one, each veteran in attendance was called to the front of the room, where brightly colored and uniquely different quilts lay on a table waiting to be hand-picked by a veteran. Each quilt took several hours to sew by hand.
Upon arriving at the table, each veteran declared the military branch they served in, then chose the quilt they desired from the display.
These quilts and the ceremony were different from Quilts of Valor in that to receive one, the person must only be a veteran attending the church, regardless of whether they served in a war. The quilt is also not registered nor does it bear a tag, as do those given through Quilts of Valor.
Some veterans appeared excited, while others were more low key. However, all of the quilt recipients appeared grateful for the gift of appreciation.
Bill Coleman spent 20 years in the Army.
“My wife does quilting, so I know how long it takes to do this, then to do it for all these veterans,” he said. “It’s an honor, and it’s humbling.”
Deborah Schutt volunteered to assist Roper in the making of all of the quilts.
“Veterans gave everything for us,” Schutt said. “We did it all from the heart with love.”
Veterans who received a quilt during the event were Russ Anderson, Paul Bradley, Kevin Brash, Ron Brittain, Bill Coleman, Kim Deaton, Cathy Fuller, David Fuller, Bill Gamble, Ray Kimball, David Ott, John Perkins, Bill Rau, Steve Runyan, Don Smith, Lee Unger, Bob Weinkle, Gary Wilson, David Wolfe, John Loyd, Tom Spencer, Wayne Fasanati, Tom Dupree, Bob Stapleton and Brian Caley.
Those who were unable to attend the ceremony will receive a quilt at a later date. Those veterans include Jackie Dobbins, Jim Ferrell, Ernie Fink, Bill Garnett, Tim Nicholson, Calvin Triplett, Ron Wingate and Woody Woodward.
The event not only moved the veterans but the quilt makers as well. With tears in her eyes, Roper said, “You guys, what you sacrificed and what you gave means a lot to me. I wanted to be able, in some way, to show how much it means to me. I love my church, and I love all the vets. Thank you all so very much.”
Michael Schutt of Harvest On Main Restaurant in Blue Ridge, Ga., who volunteered his time preparing the meal, said, “I like doing things for the community, and I love to give back to veterans. They are one of the best things for our community and help ensure our freedoms.”
Weinkle spent 21 years in the Marine Corps.
“What an honor to be acknowledged, and just the time they put in and that they’d want to recognize the veterans in our community,” he said. “I think every veteran just likes to be thanked, and this is a thank you; then to receive a quilt is really a bonus. We appreciate them remembering us and our service.”