Quilt of Valor recipient carries on with veteran advocacy
MONDAY WAS YOUR TYPICAL NIGHT INSIDE the Currie American Legion Post 322 building, with friends drinking, laughing and sharing stories (some that might have even been true). But this particular night took on a special meaning.
Business came first, as Legion members met to catch up on finances and fundraising for the club; then came pleasure when veteran Richard “Dick” Knapper received — without any previous knowledge — his Quilt of Valor, honoring him for his service during the Vietnam War.
“This was unexpected and is very humbling,” Knapper said after donning the quilt over his shoulders. “There’s a lot of veterans that deserve this way more than I do. It’s a real honor to be part of Post 322. When people tell me, ‘Thank you for your service,’ I tell them that it’s an honor and privilege to have served the greatest country on earth. I mean that. It’s not just words.”
Knapper, who grew up in Slayton but is referred to as a “long-time Currie boy” after moving to town, entered the U.S. Army May 24, 1971. He completed basic training and AIT training in Fort Ord, CA. From there, he went to jump school at Fort Benning, GA. He was honorably discharged June 13, 1973, with the rank of E4, Specialist.
Knapper never served in Vietnam, although he tried. He volunteered to fight not once, not twice, but three times.
“It was my duty,” he said matter-of-factly. Instead of Vietnam, Knapper was sent to Fairbanks, AK, near the end of 1971; he remembers the pilot telling the solders the temperature at the time there was 58 below zero. He and his fellow troops were paid about $90 a month.
“The winters were tougher back then,” he said. “I spent two winters there doing infantry training and learning how to survive in the arctic.”
More than 50 years after leaving the Army, Knapper has continued to serve his country, championing fellow veterans by helping them with access to healthcare or other benefits, providing rides to VA appointments, and visiting veterans in nursing homes and hospitals.
Currie American Legion Commander Chris Lamfers, and veteran and veterans’ advocate Denny Johnson welcomed family and friends, and shared with the audience information about Knapper and his service. Kerry Cassens and Lizzie Bramstadt from Patriotic Piecers, Quilts of Valor group from Pipestone, presented Knapper with his quilt and thanked him for his service.
“Years ago, to get into the VA in Sioux Falls — even though we are veterans — it seemed like an act of God to get in there,” said Johnson. “But Dick knew people there. He brought a lot of veterans there — guys that had been out of the military for many years that were never in the VA. Today, we honor him.”
After the quilt was given, Currie Sons of the American Legion Commander Jason Schreier, a driving force in getting Knapper his deserved recognition, gave an emotional speech about a man he has grown to be good friends with.
“I never really knew Dick until about 12 years ago … we hit it off right away,” Schreier said. “Little did I know that we would become really good friends. There is more than one reason Dick deserves this. He gives rides, makes calls, and visits to VA and the hospital. He will do anything for his fellow veterans.”
To end the night, Knapper was given a wooden plaque, gifted to him by his friend, Randy Hudson, who is battling cancer and was unable to attend Monday’s event.
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 436,429 quilts have been created and presented to American veterans and active military service members.
Anyone can submit a QOV nomination for a veteran or active military service member to receive a QOV quilt. If you have questions or would like assistance with a nomination, or would like to help sew or quilt, please contact Kerry at [email protected] or phone 480205-0746 or Paula Domena at 952-836-4596.
