VA Commissioner receives Quilt of Valor

MT. PLEASANT — In the living room of their Mt. Pleasant home, Roy and Karla Libby filled with pride as they held an intimate Quilt of Valor ceremony for their son Charles Libby, a National Guard and U.S. Navy veteran and current Henry County Veteran’s Affair Commissioner.

About a dozen people filled the Libby’s living room as they waited for Charles to make the short trip across the street from his home to Roy and Karla’s.

After the initial surprise of his lunch plans becoming a ceremony, Charles settled in while his father spoke warmly about his son.

“It is our privilege to have you here,” Roy began. “As blessed as we are to have friends, we are also blessed with the assurance we have of having a freedom of religion, freedom of press, and freedom even to carry guns.”

According to Roy, the Libby family raised their sons and daughter in South America as missionaries, but once Charles completed high school, he returned to the United States.

Shortly after Roy and Karla returned to South America, Charles joined the National Guard.

“Four years later, I went active duty with the United States Navy,” Charles said.

As Roy continued to express his gratitude for his son and his country, he recalled John 14:27.

“The Lord said, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid,” he quoted.

“We live in a world that has much turmoil and it does not seem to be getting better,” Roy said, “but even so, Christ’s words also say, ‘greater love has no one than this that will give his life for his friends.’”

“And so, as ex-military, we thank you,” Roy told his son.

While each QOV must meet certain specifications, they are not always created by someone close to the person honored.

Alongside many required details, Roy’s quilt includes a label identifying it as a QOV with his name.

According to the Quilt of Valor Organization, “A Quilt of Valor® (QOV) is a quality, handmade quilt that is machine or hand quilted. It is awarded to a Service Member or Veteran who has been touched by war. The Quilt says unequivocally, ‘Thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation.’”

Volunteers for QOV, Jane Messer and Dottie Wehage officially presented Charles with the honor of his QOV made by his mother and father.

According to Roy, Karla bought the fabric to make Charles’ quilt over a year before this presentation.

“At that time, we had no idea it would become a quilt of Valor,” Roy said. “But then, I got in touch with Roger, and he connected me with these ladies here.”

Messer proceeded to explain exactly what makes a Quilt of Valor such a unique honor.

“A Quilt of Valor is not a charity quilt,” Messer said. “A quilt of Valor is not a blanket. It is a quilt consisting of three layers. And I'd like to think of those layers in these terms: The top of the quilt with its many colors, shapes, and fabric represents the communities and the many individuals we are.”

“Each stitch in the quilt represents the love and gratitude and sometimes tears of the maker,” Messer continued. “The batting is the center of the quilt. It's warmth. It represents the hope that this quilt will bring warmth, comfort, peace and healing to the individual who receives it.”

Messer shared that the backing of the quilt represents strength as it holds the quilt together.

“It represents the strength of the recipient, his faith in God, in himself, his family, our community and our nation,” she said.

Messer shared that Valor is priceless and cannot be bought, sold, or given as a gift. In the same way, neither can a Quilt of Valor. It must be awarded.

According to Messer, many recipients of QOV say that it means more to them any military award because “it comes from the heart and hands of the maker in their community.”

“It's our foundation equivalent of Purple Heart,” Messer said. “Each quilt has a label that specifically says this quilt of valor belongs to you. May your Quilt of Valor be healing and comforting when you need it, and a continual reminder that we honor and thank you for your service and sacrifices.”

With that in mind, Charles’ mother and father took his newly award QOV and wrap it around the tall shoulders of their grown son as Charles’ fellow Henry County Veteran’s Affair Commissioners, friends, and family also thanked him for his service and sacrifice.

“It's definitely better than anything from the military,” Charles said. “I'm honored to be a commissioner, and I'm honored to receive this.”

To nominate a service member or veteran for a Quilt of Valor visit www.qovf.org

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com