Leeds veterans receive Quilts of Valor in honor of Veterans Day
Published 6:41 pm Monday, November 18, 2024
Leeds Veterans receiving a Quilt of Valor in honor of Veterans Day Friday, Nov. 8, from left, are John Patrick O’Leary, David Miller, Jonathan Wilson, Steve Karr, Roger Sheppard, Gary Suckow and Kenneth McClure. Courtesy photo
Veteran Roger Sheppard wraps up in his quilt during the Quilts of Valor ceremony Nov. 8. Courtesy photo
Veteran John Patrick O’Leary recieves his quilt. Courtesy photo
Veteran and Leeds Mayor David Miller with his quilt. Courtesy photo
Veteran Jonathan Wilson is presented his quilt. Courtesy photo
Veteran Steve Karr is presented his quilt. Courtesy photo
Veteran Gary Suckow is presented his quilt. Courtesy photo
Veteran Kenneth McClure receives his quilt. courtesy photo.
Seven Leeds Veterans received a Quilt of Valor in honor of Veterans Day Friday, Nov. 8, at Leeds Arts Council. These quilts, handmade by quilters from local quilt guilds, were awarded by a national organization called Quilts of Valor, which began in 2003 by a Blue Star Mother, Katherine Roberts. Kate Starcher, the North-Central Alabama Director, conducted the presentations along with organizers, Lyn O’Leary, Marilyn Milstead and Phyllis Menger.
Each Quilt of Valor included the names of the quilters that made that particular quilt and the recipients included:
Steve Karr, who served from 1972-1978 at Fort Jackson, SC. He received the second highest marksman score in his company. He served with the 167th Infantry National Guard unit headquarters in Cullman in the Leeds Company. “It is indeed an honor and I am very blessed. It’s a beautiful quilt. Thank you very much,” Karr said.
Kenneth McClure served in the US Air Force from 1971-1974. He served with the Skivvy Nine Intelligence Squadron and sent messages via morse code. He was stationed in Korea after marrying Roseanne, and served in Vietnam.
John Patrick O’Leary served in the Army Security Agency from 1969-1989. During this time, he was stationed 13 years in Europe and seven years as state-side training commands. During the course of his military career, he received the Meritorious Service Medal, several Army commendation medals, the Army of Occupation Medal and several more. Shortly after he retired from the Army, he joined the volunteer part of the Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Here, he held multiple roles in local and national leadership during his 21 years.
Once, he was asked by the commander of the Coast Guard, “Why does a person who served 21 years in the Army join the Coast Guard Auxiliary?” He replied, “Respectfully, sir, it is a different mission.” His wife was one of the presenters of his quilt and actually made his quilt so it was even more special to him.
Roger Sheppard served from 1981-2008 including the Persian Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was stationed in Germany, Iraq, Kuwait, South America and multiple states in the US as part of the United States Cavalry. “Thank you all so much. I really do appreciate it,” Sheppard said.
Gary Suckow served in the United States Army from 1974-2002. He served in the First Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, 24th Infantry at Fort Stewart, Georgia, the 9th Infantry at Fort Ord, California, Germany for two tours, the Redstone Arsenal, First Infantry at Fort Riley, Second Infantry in Korea and the Sergeant Majors Academy in Texas. He has received the Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit and numerous other awards.
Jonathan Wilson served in the United States Air Force from 1968-1973. He served on a remote tour in Greenland. He was an Air Traffic Controller Officer stationed in California, Texas, Mississippi and Michigan.
Leeds Mayor David Miller entered the Navy’s Flight School of Pensacola and then later transferred to the Surface Navy going to the fleet as a Surface Warfare Officer. His surface Navy career included tours at sea and Destroyers Editor in Vietnam with the River Assault Force in the Mekong Delta where he commanded a 25-boat river assault division and 225 men in combat. While in Vietnam, he earned the Bronze Star with Combat Valor Device, the Cross of Gallantry with two Silver Stars, the Combat Action Award, the Presidential Unit Citation and numerous other awards. In his last tour as a Commanding Officer of the Navy Technical Training Center in Meridian Commander Miller functioned as the Superintendent of a seven school, 3000 student, Southern Association accredited school system. At the end of his 22 years of Navy service, Miller returned to his birth town of Leeds and served 8 years on the city council. He was elected Mayor Pro Tem during his second term. Miller was elected mayor in 2012 and re-elected to his third term in 2020. The Mobile Riverine Force Association partnered with the Quilts of Valor Foundation to award all of their members of this unit with quilts.
Quilts of Valor is considered one of the highest civilian awards. The word “awarded” is used to show that a Quilt of Valor is intended to honor our veterans for their service, sacrifice and Valor. It is presented in a ceremony to impress upon them that they are not alone. A quilt consists of three layers held together by quilting stitches. The Quilts of Valor organization likes to think of the layers in this way. The top of the quilt with its many colors, shapes and fabrics represents the community and the many individuals that we are. The batting, the filler, is the center of the quilt. It represents our hope that the quilt will bring warmth, comfort, peace and healing to the individual who receives it. The backing is the strength that supports the other layer. It represents the strength of the recipient the support of their family, our communities and our nation. Each quilting stitch holds the layers together and represents our love and gratitude.
There are thousands of volunteer quilters in the US who work daily to create quilts that cover warriors from all conflicts. A Quilt of Valor may be fashioned by only one member or may be made through the combined efforts of many who wish to honor these heroes.
These particular quilts were made by members of the local quilt guilds including the Birmingham Quilters Guild, the Heartland Quilt Guild in Cullman, the West Alabama Quilters Guild in Tuscaloosa and the Evening Star Quilt Guild in Shelby County, as well as individual Quilts of Valor member and Leeds resident, Della Darby. The top makers, the quilters, and the binders who made these quilts put their love and blessings into every stitch. These quilt recipients were asked to remember this every time they wrap up in their Quilts of Valor.
For more information about Quilts of Valor, visit their website at https://qovf.org/. For more information about Leeds Arts Council, visit https://leedsartscouncil.org.
