A Quilt of Valor minitour Friday started in Walnut Grove and ended in Currie. By the end of the evening, three local veterans were honored: John Doubler and David Herder in Walnut, and Chris Lamfers in Currie.
“May this quilt bring you comfort and serve as a lasting reminder of our thanks,” an emotional Kerry Kassens of the local Patriotic Piecers group said in Walnut Grove. “As you wrap yourself in this quilt, know that you are also wrapped in the thanks of a grateful nation. Your bravery helped secure the freedoms we enjoy every day.”
The crowd in both American Legion buildings was nearly standing room only. In Walnut Grove, it was especially crowded as two veterans received their recognition.
Doubler served in the U.S. Air Force National Guard from 1963-1969. He completed basic training in Greenville, MS, then completed advance training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. He was later assigned to the South Dakota Air Force National Guard in Sioux Falls, where he annually completed two weeks of active training, plus one weekend every month.
Doubler was honorably discharged in 1969, having achieved the rank of E-5 Staff Sgt.
Herder served with the Marines from 19611964. He enlisted in 1961 and completed basic training at Cap Pendleton, CA. He had advanced amphibious training in Oceanside, CA, training in amphibian vehicle maintenance. He was then assigned to Okinawa with the 3rd Marine Division, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment.
During the Cuban crisis, Herder was assigned to the Navy 7th Fleet Amphibian Ready Group and spent 13 months traveling in Subic Bay. Other assignments included The Philippines, Manila, Tokyo and Hong Kong. He received Good Conduct and Rifle Experts awards and was honorably discharged in 1964, having reaching the rank of E-3 Lance Cpl.
Later Friday over in Currie, Lamfers had his special moment that started with veteran Denny Johnson reading a letter from a friend of Lamfers and fellow veteran.
“He was my right-hand man, and I was his right-hand man,” the letter read. “Many would say he carried me through all of our deployments, but we carried each other. You want him to be by your side when it comes to battle. It was my honor to serve with Chris.” Lamfers, a 1994 THS graduate, served in the U.S. Navy SEABEES from June 1994 to February 2000. While serving during the Gulf War era, he did not deploy overseas in support of those specific operations. However, he deployed with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 (NMCB 3) to the Balkans in support of the Liberation of Kosovo (KFOR). His service was extended at the convenience of the government for an additional 32 months. Lamfers’ medals and awards include: Navy Achievement Medal (with one bronze star), Army Achievement Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Battle “E” Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with one bronze star), Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (with two bronze stars), Expert Pistol Medal and Sharpshooter Rifle Ribbon.
“It is our honor to honor you as a veteran, for taking care of all of us whenever you were deployed,” Johnson said.
Lamfers was honorably discharged on Feb. 8, 2000, at the rank of E-5, Petty Officer 2nd Class.
Patriotic Piecers is a branch of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, which, was established in 2003 by Catherine Roberts to “cover Service Members and living Veterans with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.” Since 2003, more than 450,000 quilts have been created and awarded 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 Cassens at [email protected], phone 480-205-0746 or Paula Domena at 952-836-4596. Monetary donations are always welcome, and are used to purchase fabric, batting and other supplies to make the quilts. Mail donations to Patriotic Piecers QOV, 321 7th St. SW Pipestone, MN 56164.
