By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.
ONE FEATHER STAFF
Cherokee veterans were given a special recognition on Thursday, Jan. 27 as some were presented with Quilts of Valor by the members of the Smoky Mountain Quilters Guild. Each quilt was handmade and came with an inscribed card thanking the veterans for their service as well as a registration number acknowledging their honor nationwide.
World War II veterans Reuben Taylor (right) and former Principal Chief Robert S. Youngdeer received a "Quilt of Valor" from the Smoky Mountain Quilters Guild on Thursday, Jan. 27. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather photos)
Four World War II veterans were on hand to receive quilts at the event, organized by the Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143, including: former Principal Chief Robert S. Youngdeer, Reuben Taylor, Virginia Dixon and Frank Jackson.
“You are the greatest generation this country has known or ever will know,” Warren Dupree, Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143 service officer, said to applause. “You World War II veterans; you saved us all!”
Susan Roper, of the Quilters Guild, explained the program and related their group has made over 200 quilts for the Quilts of Valor program.
Warren Dupree (left), Steve Youngdeer American Legion Post 143 service officer, helps present a "Quilt of Valor" to WWII veteran Virginia Dixon.
In addition to the ones listed above, the following Cherokee veterans received a quilt on Thursday: Edgar Startt, Warren Dupree, Sam Saunooke, Clyde Harrison, Sam Panther, Jack Saunooke, Lee Taylor, John R. West, Lewis Harding, Clarence Welch, and Patrick Lambert.
Dupree thanked the ladies of the Quilters Guild for their hard work, dedication and sacrifice in making the quilts for the veterans.
The Quilts of Valor program states its mission “is to cover all those service members and veterans touched by war with Wartime Quilts called Quilts of Valor.” Information from its website states that so far over 38,000 quilts have been distributed to veterans nationwide.
For more information, visit www.qovf.org.
Photo gallery of event:
https://www.theonefeather.com/photo-galleries-2/?album=108&gallery=116
