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Park Place veterans honored in heartfelt ceremony
Three veterans were celebrated in a touching ceremony that brought families and a community together through tears, pride, and handmade quilts
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MT. PLEASANT — With their children standing quietly behind them, three local veterans sat at the front of a red, white and blue — draped room last week as they were wrapped in quilts — and in gratitude.
Merle Smith, Guerdon Lee and Karl Messer, residents of Park Place Long Term Care, were each presented with a Quilt of Valor in a heartfelt ceremony recognizing their military service. But it wasn’t just the quilts — hand-stitched by the Iowa Patriotic Stitchers — that left a lasting impression. It was the emotion, the family, and the deep sense of appreciation woven into every moment.
“I just love my dad very, very much,” said Monty Smith, his voice catching as he stood before the crowd. “I know this is real special to him.”
His father, Merle Smith, served in the U.S. Navy from 1962 to 1966. He sat in the front row, quietly wiping his eyes as his son shared childhood memories: long factory days, warm summer evenings, and the unwavering love of a father who always made time.
“I remember being a little kid and loving baseball,” Monty said. “Every time my dad would come home from a hot day at the factory, I’d ask him to play catch with me — and I can’t even remember him saying no.”
Those memories, he said, stayed with him as a model of the kind of father — and man — he wanted to become.
“He is real proud to have served in the military,” Monty added. “And he’s just a good man.”
The ceremony began with a welcome from Social Services Specialist Ashlee Darley. Together with Activity Director Alaine Geeding, she helped organize the event and transform the common area into a patriotic tribute. Decorations included streamers, balloon displays, a bald eagle centerpiece, and a table filled with cupcakes and a red, white and blue cake.
“These quilts are more than fabric and thread,” Darley said during her opening remarks. “They are a tribute to the service and sacrifices made by our veterans … Today we honor you.”
Bob Becker then led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance, standing before a crowd that had grown quiet and reverent.
Darley later explained how the idea came to be.
“I did it at one of my other facilities,” she said. “The VFW drops off stuff here sometimes. We got to talking about if we had any residents who were veterans — and we have three. So we thought we’d try and throw together a little ceremony.”
The veterans were then introduced and honored one by one. Quilts were presented by Jane Messer, Glenda Campbell and Dottie Wehage of the Iowa Patriotic Stitchers, who have made over 575 Quilts of Valor since 2018.
“A Quilt of Valor is not a blanket — it’s a lifetime award,” said Jane Messer. “It’s our foundation’s equivalent of the Purple Heart. Every stitch is a message of love, gratitude, and healing.”
Chaplain and Honor Guard member Michael Moore followed with a prayer titled Quilt of Honor, written by him and his wife, Michelle.
“Bless these quilts as a source of comfort and healing,” Moore read aloud. “Bless the hands of those who fashion them, sown in honor, respect and gratitude. And bless the veterans receiving them, for their service and sacrifice protecting this, our great country.”
Moore also offered a moment of reflection for the soldiers currently serving, lifting up Company Alpha of the 224th Battalion, recently deployed from Mt. Pleasant to the Middle East — part of the largest Iowa National Guard deployment in more than a decade. Drawing from his own experience as both a veteran and a parent of deployed service members, Moore spoke about the fear those families may be feeling, and urged the community to reach out and support them.
Among those honored was Karl Messer, who joined the National Guard after graduating high school in 1948 and later operated Messer Feeding Supply in Mt. Pleasant. His daughter, Karla Dougherty, spoke on his behalf.
“He built a sawmill, made his own furniture, and even built a log home out in Stockport with timber from his own land,” Dougherty said. “This is a wonderful place for him now, and I thank everybody for being part of today.”
Guerdon Lee, who joined the Marines in 1949 and served during the Korean War, was remembered by his son Mike as a man who returned home and built a life with quiet pride.
“He worked for the phone company, and we farmed together for years,” Mike said. “And his woodworking is just amazing. A real master.”
As the ceremony wound down, the crowd was invited to approach each veteran to thank them personally. The quilts, colorful and textured, seemed to absorb not just history, but the hands and hearts of all who contributed.
For Merle Smith, who remained tearful long after the applause ended, the most meaningful part wasn’t just the honor — it was the love in the room.
And for Monty Smith, who stood behind his father with his hand on his shoulder, it was a chance to share with all those present just how much he loves and respects him.
“He’s just a good man,” he said. “I hope he understands how much people care about him.”
For Merle Smith, the feeling is mutual, and the honor is all his.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
