Veterans Johnson, Bassett receive Quilts of Valor
The Currie American Legion Post 322 building was packed last Monday evening — it’s no wonder since a bunch of Denny Johnson’s grandkids were on hand to see him receive quite a big honor.
Johnson, along with fellow veteran and Currie native Kenny Bassett, both received a Quilt of Valor to thank them for their service in Vietnam. The quilts are given in honor and appreciation for veterans’ service, and to bring comfort, peace and healing to veterans.
“It’s a big part of healing,” Johnson said. “We weren’t recognized much when we came home; as a matter of fact, when we ended up at the airport, we were given the finger and called ‘baby killers’ and were told to go back where we came from. This gives us a little recognition. I knew I was supposed to be there for something … I thought it was some recognition for getting that memorial started at the End-O-Line, so I was pretty surprised.”
Johnson said he is very grateful to receive the honor and especially to have so many family members on hand for the occasion.
“I didn’t know they were coming,” said Johnson. “It meant the world to me to have my family there. I’ve got 16 grandkids and three great-grandkids and more than half of them were there. It was so emotional and so great to see the family there.”
Bassett might not have had family present last Monday, but he felt honored nonetheless.
“It was pretty awesome,” he said of receiving a Quilt of Valor. “I really appreciate it. It makes us feel like we were appreciated after all.”
Johnson also does background work for other quilt recipents, including for Bassett himself. Johnson and Bassett are two of 11 Currie men to have served in wars.
“It’s a good thing; I plan on doing a few more this year for some guys,” said Johnson. “I do the paperwork, try to get the information without the person knowing.”
Johnson completed basic training in the U.S Army in January 1968 at Ft. Lewis in Washington; then it was on to Ft. Knox, KY, for AIT (recon). After a brief stay at home, he was then off to Europe, Frankfurt and Würzburg, Germany, serving as an MP at a prison, then later, in a secret mission in Czechoslovakia where Russia was trying to invade. He slept in a fox hole for over nine months and was awarded the Bronze Star medal, the Combat medal, and should have received a Purple Heart, but did not, because at the time, the U.S. did not want to admit American troops were there.
He was honorably discharged with the rank of E5-Sgt in April 1970 after 27 months of service.
Bassett entered the U.S. Army in November 1967. He completed eight weeks of basic training at Ft. Lewis Washington before heading to Ft. Sam in Houston for AIT, and finally to Ft. Campbell, KY, for Medic School. He served as a medic in a MASH unit in Vietnam and to this day cannot believe all the wounded soldiers he took care of. He was honorably discharged Nov. 6, 1969, with the rank of E5 Sergeant.
Last Monday, Kerry Cassens from the Westbrook VFW Auxiliary Post 5098 and Pieces for Heroes, Quilts of Valor group from Marshall, welcomed the veterans, post members and many guests to the Legion Club in Currie. She then introduced Jill DeFries, Sheila Krick, and Janna Milbrant, of Quilts of Valor, and Pat Thiner, president of the Westbrook VFW Auxiliary, Post 5098.
The Quilts of Valor Foundation (QOVF), was established in 2003 by Catherine Roberts to “cover Service Members and living Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.” Since 2003, more than 416,000 quilts have been created and presented to American veterans and active military service members.
Pieces for Heroes, Quilts of Valor group meets at the American Legion, 411 W. Lyon St. in Marshall on the second and fourth Mondays of the month from 8:30 a.m-12 p.m. All are welcome, and anyone can submit a QOV application for a veteran or active military service member to receive a quilt.
If you have questions or would like assistance with an application, or would like to help sew or quilt, contact Kerry Cassens at [email protected] or 480-205-0746, or Nancy McClain at 812-299-0268. Monetary donations are welcome and are used to purchase fabric, batting and other supplies to make the quilts. Mail donations to Pieces for Heroes QOV, c/o Eileen Fuhrmann, 705 Lawrence St., Marshall, MN 56258.
