Above / During festivities on the patio of the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, Lew Breese, Bob Bronson, Charlie Vladika and Scott Holley recently received Quilts of Valor, recognizing their service in the U.S. military. (Photo courtesy Peggy Beata)
The first day of November “kicked off a variety of veteran-centric events focused on honoring those individuals who returned from military combat,” according to Naperville VFW Post 3873 Auxiliary secretary/treasurer Peggy Beata, noting the Field of Honor at Rotary Hill would be recognizing Veterans in support of Operation Support Our Troops-America through 5PM on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
Four former Commanders of Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 were surprised to be presented with Quilts of Valor created by Rita Pennington, the State Coordinator of the Quilts of Valor Foundation.
Lew Breese, Bob Bronson, Charlie Vladika and Scott Holley were the worthy recipients of one-of-a-kind quilts depicting patriotic themes. Every one of the veterans had an opportunity to speak to their guests about their time served, everywhere from Vietnam to Korea, Beata said.
Originally Posted March 10, 2019 / Veterans receive heartfelt gratitude
Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 members Mike McGrath and Phil Maughan were presented with Quilts of Valor on February 14. President of the board of Directors of the National Home for Children, McGrath served in the Army 1st Cavalry Infantry in Vietnam. Former Illinois State VFW Commander Maughan also served in Vietnam in the Army 82nd Airborne Division where he earned a Bronze Star. These veterans have never stopped serving their country since they returned home.
Photo by Peggy Beata.
Originally Posted Dec. 2, 2018 / Veterans Day appreciation
Thanks to a Naperville VFW Auxiliary project, Veterans Frank Haynes, Lou Kueltzo and John Shaw were honored with Quilts of Valor for their military service to our country. The handmade quilts were lovingly created by members of the Quilts of Valor Foundation and presented during a ceremony at the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873.
(Photo by Pablo Araya / Submitted by Peggy Beata)
Note also that John Shaw is one of the recipients of the “Bicentennial Honor 200” award which recognizes veterans of Illinois who not only served in the military, but continue to actively contribute to their communities. John and his wife, Barb, will be guests at the state’s official Bicentennial Celebration on Dec. 3 at Navy Pier.
Originally Posted Feb. 3, 2018 / World War II Veterans are honored with Quilts of Valor
Peggy Beata heads the Quilts of Valor Committee for the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 Auxiliary. On Groundhog Day, members of her group planned to present handmade quilts to several World War II veterans during a special luncheon that also welcomed Commander Tom Parker, Sr. Vice Commander Pablo Araya, veteran Ron Beata and Quartermaster Phil Maughan to assist with the presentation.
At the VFW Post on Groundhog Day 2018, three quilts were presented and wrapped around World War II veterans George Hogrewe, Bill Howland and Dick McLaughlin.
Since 2003, more than 230,000 handmade Quilts of Valor have been presented “to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing.”
Quilts of Valor since 2003
Quilts of Valor is a national 501(c)3 organization that awards beautiful quilts, handcrafted by its members, for military veterans. The Mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to “cover service members and veterans touched by war touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.”
For more information about Quilts of Valor, visit www.qovf.org/.
Photos courtesy Peggy Beata for Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 Auxiliary.
