SHERIDAN — Five American veterans were recognized Wednesday, June 17, during a special Quilts of Valor ceremony held at the Sheridan VA Medical Center.
Master Chief (Ret.) Jim Sturdevant, Dewitt Boyd, Ray Frady, Lynn Heeren, and Forrest L. Asmus were each presented with a custom-made Quilt of Valor in recognition of their military service and sacrifice.
Family members, friends, fellow veterans, and VA staff gathered for the ceremony as the honorees were recognized for answering the nation's call to serve. Each veteran received a handcrafted quilt created specifically for the occasion, continuing a tradition that has touched hundreds of thousands of veterans across the country.
The Quilts of Valor Foundation was established in 2003 with a mission to honor service members and veterans who have been touched by war. Each quilt is handmade and formally awarded as a symbol of comfort, healing, and appreciation for military service. The organization describes the award as a way of saying, "Thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation."
Among those honored was Master Chief (Ret.) Jim Sturdevant, whose distinguished career in the United States Navy spanned 27 years. During his military service, Sturdevant traveled extensively throughout the world, gaining experiences that left a lasting impression on him.
“The best thing I take from my Navy service is all the places overseas I was able to visit,” Sturdevant said. “Some of the places I visited were Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Naples, Italy, Nice, France, Rhodes and Spain. The cultures and earning power of these countries are all very different. We must consider ourselves lucky to have what we have and the freedoms we have here in the United States.”
His reflections captured one of the recurring themes of the ceremony: gratitude for both military service and the freedoms that service helps protect.
Though Sturdevant would probably not discuss it, he often reaches out to other veterans and currently serving service members who are having a hard time adjusting to civilian life or who have recently come home from deployment.
The presentation of a Quilt of Valor is more than simply receiving a handmade quilt. The foundation considers it a civilian award that acknowledges the sacrifices made by veterans and serves as a tangible reminder that their service has not been forgotten.
As each quilt was presented, the ceremony highlighted the military service and personal sacrifices of the recipients. The colorful quilts, stitched by volunteers who donate countless hours to the effort, serve as lasting symbols of gratitude from a thankful nation.
For Boyd, Frady, Heeren, Asmus, and Sturdevant, Wednesday's ceremony offered not only recognition for their service but also an opportunity for the Sheridan community to express its appreciation for the freedoms safeguarded by generations of American veterans.
The event underscored the continuing partnership between the Sheridan VA Medical Center and community organizations dedicated to honoring those who have worn the nation's uniform. As the quilts were draped around each veteran's shoulders, the ceremony served as a powerful reminder that the service and sacrifices of America's veterans continue to be remembered and appreciated.
For the five honorees, the custom-made quilts represented more than fabric and stitching. They served as a heartfelt expression of gratitude from a community determined to ensure that the sacrifices of its veterans are never forgotten.