Welcome Home

There weren't many dry eyes inside the Elgin Community Center Saturday afternoon as 12 veterans, each wrapped in a handmade patriotic quilt by members of their own families, heard two simple words that carried a lifetime of meaning.

"Welcome home."

The Missouri River Quilts of Valor group honored a dozen area veterans during a moving ceremony recognizing their military service and sacrifice. For many who served, particularly during the Vietnam War, those words were never spoken when they first returned home.

Saturday, they finally were.

Family members gently placed each handcrafted quilt around the shoulders of their veteran as the audience looked on. The quilts, stitched by volunteers and local quilting groups, including members of the Elgin Bits and Pieces Quilt Club, are presented through the Quilts of Valor Foundation, whose mission is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. The Missouri River Quilts of Valor organization is staffed entirely by volunteers and relies solely on donations to continue its mission.

The 12 veterans honored represented decades of military service in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force and North Dakota Army National Guard. Their service took them around the world, including Vietnam, Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia, Germany, Turkey, Egypt and Korea.

Among those honored was Hettinger resident Vern Erickson, who accepted his Quilt of Valor surrounded by family and friends. Like many of the veterans recognized Saturday afternoon, Erickson's emotions were evident as he reflected on what the quilt meant to him.

"It means everything to me," Erickson said. "It's an honor to have this quilt given to me. I really appreciate it."

When asked what he planned to do with the quilt, Erickson smiled and replied, "I'm going to use it when the cold weather comes."

Although the handmade quilt will certainly provide warmth during the winter months, Erickson said the recognition itself meant even more.

"It was awesome," he said of his military service. "It was my dream to serve in the military. The rifle range was where I fit the best at."

Before the ceremony concluded, Erickson expressed his appreciation to those who organized the event and to everyone who attended.

"I would like to thank everyone for everything today," he said. "This was such an honor."

Erickson's gratitude reflected the emotions felt throughout the afternoon as veterans, family members and friends wiped away tears while each recipient was recognized for his or her service.

Those receiving Quilts of Valor included Theodore Ledman, Vern Erickson, Adam Greff, Jennifer Greff, Brian Bleick, Daniel Devitt, Frank Fettig, Fred Eslinger, Jimmy Zimmerman, Larry Schlosser, Ralph Heim and Richard Ledman.

The ceremony opened with an invocation by Pastor Mike Harrison and the presentation of colors by the Mott American Legion Post 71 Color Guard. Members of the Missouri River Quilts of Valor organization, including Mary Dunn, Shelly Doyle, Gloria Payne and Gale Nicholson, shared opening remarks before the quilts were presented.

Delbert Weishaar, commander of George W. Snook American Legion Post 246 in Elgin, and Herb Quamme, commander of Mott American Legion Post 71, presented North Dakota Welcome Home Coins to each quilt recipient, with additional Vietnam Welcome Home Coins presented to veterans who served during that conflict.

As the ceremony drew to a close, veterans, families and community members stood together to sing "God Bless America," accompanied on the piano by Annette Roth.

The afternoon began with gratitude for military service. It ended with something even more meaningful—a community making sure 12 veterans knew they had not been forgotten and, for many, finally hearing the welcome they had waited decades to receive.

Welcome home.