The Superior Express -

Three Quilts of Valor were awarded in Jewell on Saturday, by the Desire Tobey Sears Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The recipients were Korean War veterans, Norman Greene, Gerald "Mac" McAtee and Carlyle Saint. All three men are from Jewell.

According to the Quilts of Valor Foundation, a Quilt of Valor is a handmade quilt that is either hand or machine quilted. It is awarded to a veteran who has been "touched by war." The mission of the foundation is to "cover service members and veterans with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor." The foundation was started in 2003 by Catherine Roberts and has awarded some 300,000 quilts.

Before the quilts were awarded, a prayer was given by Kerma Headrick Crouse with a time of silence for those who have given their lives in the service of our country. The time of silence ended with Taps played by Bill Storrer (Wichita). Brenda Judd Dooley lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The first Quilt of Valor was awarded to United States Marine Corp veteran, Gerald "Mac" McAtee. First stationed at Camp Pendleton in California, his training was with heavy equipment. His first overseas assignment was in Hawaii – overseas because Hawaii was not yet a state in 1952. As the K412th of the 12 Marine Regiment of the 3rd Marine Division was sailing out of Pearl Harbor, the treaty was signed ending the Korean War. McAtee's service was completed in Japan.

The quilt awarded McAtee was pieced by Erna Rae Kirk (Scandia) and the late Glada Isaacson. It was quilted by Karla Boling and bound by Rebecca Craig (Munden). Kirk, Isaacson and Craig are members of Desire Tobey Sears Chapter NSDAR. The award was made by Barbara Means Tatro (Beloit), McAtee's step-daughter, and Ruth Fleming (Formoso) who represented Desire Tobey Sears Chapter NSDAR. Kent Tatro (Beloit) also attended in honor of McAtee.

Receiving the second Quilt of Valor was Carlyle Saint. Save for his military service, Saint has always lived in Jewell. He graduated from Jewell High School with the Class of 1950. Serving in the United States Army, he was part of the Big Red One, headquartered at Fort Riley, Kan. His overseas service was with the 150th Trucking Company in Germany.

The quilt awarded Saint was pieced and bound by his niece, Lori Dunstan Bonjour (Formoso). It was quilted by Gilly Reiter (Jewell). Sierra Koster Bonjour (Formoso) joined in awarding the quilt as a representative of Desire Tobey Sear Chapter NSDAR.

Other family members attending in honor of Saint were:  his son, Curtis Saint (Jewell); nieces Kristy Dunstan Badger (Mankato) and Jana Dunstan Carlson (Courtland). Darrell Carlson (Courtland) also attended.

The third Quilt of Valor was awarded to Norman Greene. Greene has lived in the Jewell area nearly all of his life, graduating with the Class of 1948 from Jewell High School. Greene served with the 3rd Air Force in England after receiving mechanics training at Shepherd Field, Wichita Falls, Texas. During his time overseas, Green was stationed on the outskirts of London, England. He was there when Elizabeth was crowned Elizabeth II of England.

Irene McCormick Storrer (Wichita) pieced and bound the quilt awarded to Greene. It was quilted by Annette Haga (Wichita). Jane Vincent Pahls (Jewell) represented Desire Tobey Sears Chapter NSDAR as she and Storrer awarded the Quilt of Valor to Norman Greene. Attending with Greene was his wife, Doris Greene, his son, Scott Greene (Jewell) and his daughter, Sue Greene Bean (Glen Elder).

After The Lord's Prayer, the group concluded the event with cookies, tea and conversation.

Desire Tobey Sears Chapter NSDAR is aware that other Jewell Countians served during the Korean Conflict. As Quilts of Valor become available, they will be awarded to those who have served. If you know of Jewell County service men or women whose service was during the Korean Conflict, please contact Kerma Crouse at 620-272-7160.