Quilts of Valor honor local veterans at Forgotten Heroes festival
Red, white and blue took on a deeply personal meaning at the recent Forgotten Heroes Ranges and Retreat Music Festival — Red, White and Remembrance, where area veterans were honored with Quilts of Valor created and presented by members of the Ripple River Quilters of Aitkin.
Five members of the quilting group — Diane Pelto, Kathy Haugse, Aileen DeMenge, Rose Seiberlich and Sharon Lavan — presented quilts recognizing veterans for their military service and sacrifices.
The presentation brought together veterans from the United States Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and National Guard, with service ranging from Vietnam to more recent deployments in Iraq, Bosnia, Kuwait and Jordan.
Among those honored was Stanley J. Verrips, U.S. Air Force, who enlisted and trained as a military police officer at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas before serving at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota and Phan Rang Air Base in Vietnam. He later served at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Marksmanship Medal, Air Force Commendation and Good Conduct Medal.
Terry Newgard, U.S. Air Force, enlisted as a weapons mechanic. After training at Lackland Air Force Base and Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado, he served at Mountain Home Air Force Base and was deployed to Udorn Air Force Base in Thailand.
Richard M. Bevill, U.S. Army Specialist 4, joined the Army in October 1963. After basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he served at Fort Gordon, Georgia, Fort Riley, Kansas, and in Vietnam. His awards include the Good Conduct Medal, marksmanship recognition and Vietnam Service Medal.
Craig Joriman, U.S. Army, served with the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division in Vietnam, including assignments in Da Nang and at several fire bases. His decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Sharpshooter Badge and Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.
Robert “Bobby” Johnson, U.S. Air Force, enlisted in 1966 and went on to serve at bases in the United States, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Germany and England. As a C-130 crew chief, he participated in missions that included dropping flares over Vietnam. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Bob Collins, U.S. Army, served at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Myer, Virginia; and Fort McClellan, Alabama, before serving in Vietnam. While there, he performed guard duty and other assignments and received marksmanship and Vietnam Service Medal recognition.
The quilters also honored Charla Meyer, U.S. Army National Guard, who served as an air traffic controller and was deployed to Eagle Base in Tuzla, Bosnia. Her decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Medal, NATO Medal and Armed Services Reserve Medal with M Device.
Paul Grams, Minnesota Army National Guard, served in several capacities, including major, commander, maintenance officer and logistics officer. His assignments included Fort Leonard Wood, Lowry Air Force Base, Camp Ripley and Long Prairie. His awards include Minnesota Army National Guard, National Defense Service and Army Commendation ribbons.
Grant Grams, U.S. Air Force National Guard, served with the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth before deployments to Kuwait and Jordan. His work included air surveillance support, plumbing, water sanitation and filtration, as well as runway repair. Among his recognitions are Basic Military Training Honor Graduate, National Defense Service and Air Force Training ribbons.
Edward W. Schulze, U.S. Army, trained as a sharpshooter and served as a field radio repairman. After assignments at Fort Leonard Wood and Fort Gordon, he was deployed to Karlsruhe, Germany, where he worked in advanced electronics mobile field support and as a German interpreter.
Donna Bergstrom, U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, brought an especially distinguished career to the Quilts of Valor presentation. She served in signals intelligence and electronic warfare and held assignments with the 3rd Radio Battalion in Hawaii, Marine Corps headquarters, the U.S. Senate and the National Security Agency. She also deployed to Japan and Panama. Her many decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Joint Meritorious Unit Award.
Jim Ryan, U.S. Navy, trained as a radioman and served in Vietnam as a radio operator aboard a hospital ship in Da Nang. He received the National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal with a bronze star.
Patrick Ahner, U.S. Army sergeant, served at Fort Jackson, Fort Lewis and Fort Riley before deploying three times to Baghdad, Iraq. His decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Overseas Service Ribbon and Combat Action Badge.
Todd Libra, U.S. Army, completed basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama, where he quickly became proficient at the many pushups required of new recruits. He also was stationed at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and Fort Polk, Louisiana. Libra was later deployed to U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach in Germany, where he served as a crew chief. According to his wife, Diane, he also served on ski patrol while in Germany. Although Libra did not provide a list of his medals and decorations, he received several during his military service.
Jodi L. Stauber began her military career in 1986 when she enlisted in the 148th Fighter Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard shortly after graduating from Denfeld High School in Duluth. She completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, before returning to Duluth and beginning a full-time position in the Military Personnel Flight.
Over the years, Stauber held numerous positions within Military Personnel Flight and was selected as Superintendent in 2002. In 2007, she became Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 148th Fighter Wing.
In 2009, Chief Stauber deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, where she served as Superintendent with the 447th Air Expeditionary Group at Sather Air Base. Her deployment supported military operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
A recipient of numerous military and civilian awards and decorations, Stauber has also been a strong advocate for community involvement. Through her leadership and service, she represented the 148th Fighter Wing at countless community events and activities. Her military career reflects a longstanding commitment to both her fellow service members and the communities she served.
Each quilt represented more than a handmade gift. The quilts served as tangible expressions of gratitude from the Ripple River Quilters to veterans who answered the call to serve.
The group’s presentation reflected the spirit of the festival itself: remembering those who served, honoring their sacrifices and ensuring that their stories are not forgotten.
For the Ripple River Quilters, the message behind each quilt was simple — thank you for your service, your sacrifices and your part in keeping the country free.