Pictured are the veterans honored with quilts at the Threads of Valor ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 14. Pictured in the front row, from left: John Hurd, Harley Carney, Alisa Leek and Rex Wert. Pictured in the back row, from left: Terry Leek, Donald Ridenour, Eldon Sauer, Larry Essig, William Cook and Richard Wells.

Text and Photos
By Brianna Pitts
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Ten veterans were honored with quilts at the Threads of Valor event on Tuesday, Nov. 14. The ceremony is hosted by Liberty Sewing Circle, in conjunction with Kosciusko Community Senior Services.

The ceremony opened with the Kosciusko County Extension Choir singing a selection of patriotic songs, concluding with the National Anthem. Following this, the American Legion Post 49 posted the colors behind the honored veterans.

Marsha Huffman, coordinator of the Liberty Sewing Circle, spoke at the event.

“We must never forget the untold sacrifices veterans have endured for us both here and abroad,” said Huffman. We want to recognize our guests of honor for their service and sacrifice.”

She shared that as of May, the Liberty Sewing Circle had made and given out 423 quilts, with 149 of those being full-sized.

Next, David Neff, executive director of the Kosciusko Community Senior Services, spoke, thanking the ladies of the Liberty Sewing Circle for making this event possible and creating the quilts, showing up every Monday, Tuesday, and some Saturdays to work on them. Neff said, “Honoring our veterans should come naturally to all of us. We owe everything to veterans.”

Neff also reflected on the very first Threads of Valor ceremony, where there were only eight to ten people in attendance, until now, filling up the gymnasium.

Mayor Joe Thallemer was a speaker at the event and shared how great it was to be able to see the ceremony grow. Thallemer shared there is a long history between quilts and veterans dating back to World War II. He said he was so proud to have this longstanding tradition continue in the community.

“The work done here is so important and we must never stop honoring our veterans. As a community, we thank you for your service to our country and your lifelong service to our community,” said Thallemer.

The Salvation Army of Warsaw’s Community Ministries Director Ken Locke was also a speaker and shared some anecdotes from his childhood about the veterans he knew growing up and how his father had instilled in him the importance of honoring those who have served.

The veterans honored at the Threads of Valor Ceremony are as follows:

• Harley Carney
• William Cook
• John Hurd
• Larry Essig
• Alisa Leek
• Terry Leek
• Donald Ridenour
• Eldon Sauer
• Richard Wells
• Rex Wert