Nine local veterans were honored with quilts Sunday for their service.
The Patriot Piecers Quilts of Valor holds events throughout the year in different locations. On Sunday, the organization honored the veterans at an American Legion Post 5 ceremony.
"It's especially significant for the Vietnam veterans," said organizer Sallie Jacobs, who's with Operation Bugle Boy and the American Legion Auxiliary. "They never got a welcome home. This has made them feel appreciated."
The Patriot Piecers Quilts of Valor chapter has given away around 1,000 quilts, and the national organization has given 234,000. The Columbia-based group has about 20 members who meet monthly.
One veteran recently honored by the group was Richard Marcinko, known as the father of U.S. Navy SEAL Team Six.
Each quilt has a personalized theme for the recipient.
Group members said they've worked hard to replenish their supply of quilts for Sunday's ceremony, which honored:
Dale Brandes, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1967-72.
David Ford, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1969-76.
Jason Howe, who served in the U.S. Navy from 2002-07.
Leo Maasen, who served in the U.S. Army from 1945-47.
Pat Parsons, who served in the U.S. Army from 1981-93.
Don Shull, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1968-91.
George Shull, who served in the U.S. Fair Force from 1967-71 and the Reserves from 1971-75.
Mary Elizabeth Shull, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1969-71.
Walt Shull, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967-91.
The Quilts of Valor Foundation was started by Catherine Roberts, when her son was deployed in 2003 to Iraq as a gunner on a Humvee. She started the foundation to cover all those wounded warriors with both physical and physiological wounds with a Quilt of Valor. Originally, the focus was on veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan but has expanded to veterans of all wars and conflicts.
This page was edited at 8:08 a.m. Nov. 25, 2019, to correct the name of the Quilts of Valor chapter giving the quilts to the veterans.