SIDNEY – The Sidney Elks Lodge hosted a Quilts of Valor ceremony Sunday recognizing five local veterans.

The event was organized in part by Nancy Rexroth.

“We had a wonderful turnout, and I’m very blessed to be in this community and so proud of everyone,” she said.

Rexroth said the ceremony was special because of the veterans she knows.

“I knew several of the veterans who received their quilts, and there’s more than one way to serve and I was not in the military but I think we all need to be very grateful for all of their efforts and service and bittersweet sacrifices they’ve made,” she said.

Veteran Christopher Hickey publicly thanked everyone for the quilt.

“It was my honor and privilege to serve my country in my nation’s armed forces in defense of the life and freedoms we are fortunate enough to enjoy. I want to acknowledge all my brother and sister veterans, and all the men and women currently serving our great nation,” Hickey said.

U.S. Army Veteran Richard Misegadis was also a Quilt of Valor recipient Sunday. The emotions that come with recognition are almost without words.

“Uh, it feels pretty special. Ya know, just ... I’m sure there’s more people around that deserve it more than I did,” Misegadis said.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation started in 2003 with a dream. Founder Catherine Roberts’ son was deployed in Iraq. She said she saw a young man sitting on a bed with the sense of despair. On the website, she says she could see his war demons clustered around him. She then saw him wrapped in a quilt and his demeanor changing from despair to hope and well-being.

To learn more about Quilts of Valor, see www.qovf.org

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