Sterling Dyer is presented a Quilt of Valor at a ceremony at the Exeter Legion. Placing the quilt around him are his stepdaughters Amy Osterholt (right) and Angie Bell (left). To the far left is Quilt of Valor South Central Nebraska Coordinator Phyllis Schoenholz.
Sterling Dyer of Exeter was honored with a Quilt of Valor
during a ceremony held Monday, June 10 at the Exeter American Legion Home.
Dyer, a Korean War Veteran, was nominated to receive the
award by an anonymous person and felt “It was a nice honor. Lots of
others deserve it if I do.”
His stepdaughters, Angie Bell and Amy Osterholt held up the
quilt and then wrapped it around him.
Dyer’s wife, Sharon, was also in the audience along with his
sister and several of his nephews.
The Quilt of Valor program was started in 2003 by Catherine
Roberts who son was deployed in Iraq. After a dream gave her the idea
that quilts from home would be comforting to those serving, she began to make
them to award to active military along with veterans.
Roberts created a non-profit foundation to guide the
project. Since 2003 over 220,000 quilts have been awarded to those who
have served.
Phyllis Schoenholz, the South Central Nebraska Coordinator
for the QOV program, initiated the program in Neb. She gave the history of the
foundation and explained how she became involved and recruited 4H members to
make quilts. She noted that the quilts are often recognized as a
“civilian purple heart.”
The quilt awarded to Dyer was made by Carol Harris, an Exeter
native who now lives in North Carolina. Later Dyer expressed his appreciation
for the work and time that Harris put into the quilt. Schoenholz encouraged
Dyer to use the quilt and not just keep it folded up.
Auxiliary member Pat Becker read a brief history of Dyer’s
service during the Korean War. He was drafted in the Army in May of 1954
and went to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
He was sent to Fort Sill, Okla. for 16 weeks of radio repair
before he headed to Fort Lewis, Wash. for a ship to Korea. For 23
days Dyer was below deck on KP duty, serving 6000 troops.
In Korea Dyer served in the 59th MP company, the
558th MP company guarding Ammo Depots in Pusan, Korea, and the 11th
Field Artillery Battalion 24th Infantry Division along the
demilitarized zone north of Seoul, Korea. He was discharged and returned
home in May of 1956.
After the ceremony each of the Legion members saluted Dyer
and honored him for his service. Audience members also took the opportunity
to thank Dyer for his sacrifice to his country.
“The mission of the Quilt of Valor foundation is to cover
service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts
of valor.”
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