News Area Veterans Recognized by Quilts of Valor

There is a common thread woven through every Quilt of Valor ceremony, the belief among many veterans that someone else deserved the recognition more than they did. But organizers of the program say every role mattered, whether a service member worked behind a desk making sure troops were paid, prepared meals for soldiers in training, or delivered ammunition to the front lines.

Without those jobs being done, soldiers would have faced even greater hardships both overseas and at home. Every person who served, whether by enlistment or draft, played an important role and deserves thanks for that service.

That spirit of gratitude was on full display this weekend as the Quilts of Valor program honored two area veterans during a touching ceremony recognizing their military service and sacrifice.

Among those recognized was Bill Newton, who served in the Army Reserves with the Infantry Unit out of Cedar Rapids from 1966 to 1972. During his years of service, Newton answered the call to duty even during important moments at home. In 1970, he was required to attend monthly camp during the final weeks before the birth of his son, Chad, causing him to miss the delivery.

Military service runs deep in Newton’s family. Three relatives served during World War II, including his father-in-law Lawrence Hess, Uncle Lawrence Knuth, and Uncle Norman, who was killed in action in Normandy.

Although the ceremony was held in his honor, Newton said he was equally impressed by the volunteers and dedication behind the Quilts of Valor organization itself.

He noted that the program now reaches veterans in every state and even outside the United States, adding simply, “Bless this organization.â€�

Also honored during the ceremony was James “Jimâ€� Schulte, who grew up in Norway. Schulte served in the United States Air Force from 1963 to 1967 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, where he worked with the Atlas missile program.

The Atlas was the nation’s first operational intercontinental ballistic missile and became the foundation of the Atlas rocket family developed for the U.S. Air Force. By the end of his service, Schulte had earned the rank of Staff Sergeant.

The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover veterans and service members touched by war with comforting and healing quilts handmade by volunteers. Each quilt includes a label identifying its maker and quilt number, along with a carrying case so it can travel with the veteran it honors.

To date, the organization has awarded more than 444,683 quilts to veterans across the country and beyond.

More information about the program, including volunteer opportunities and quilt requests for veterans, can be found through the Quilts of Valor Foundation.