Veterans honored by families for their service to country
It was another touching ceremony presented by the Nimble Thimble Quilts Guild and Hamilton Community Foundation Sunday as four veterans received a Quilt of Valor at the Hamilton County Fair.
“The founder, Catherine Roberts describes a Quilt of Valor as the civilian equivalent of a Purple Heart award,” said presenter and guild member, Jeanette Friesen. “Our quilts are awarded, not just handed out. This Quilt of Valor unequivocally says thank you for your service, sacrifice, and valor in serving the nation.”
All four were then recognized with a narrative of their time in uniform, followed by each being draped with their quilts by loved ones.
Gil Nissen
The first veteran to receive his quilt was Gil Nissen.
“Gil Nissen’s Marine Corps history began when he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1963,” Friesen read. “He attended boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California.”
After attending boot camp, Nissen was assigned to 3rd AmTrac Battalion, 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Two years later, he was transferred to 7th Motors Battalin of the 1st Marine Division (reinforced).
Later, Nissen would be shipped to Chu Laui, Vietnam until he was discharged with the title of corporal on Sept. 9, 1966.
“Gil’s praise is to Jesus Christ because He brought him home so he could come to trust in His gift of eternal life, without war, because of His work on the cross, and His bodily resurrection,” Friesen read. “Those men who have died and those whose bodies were broken invade his thoughts every day. May America be restored in His grace and mercy so that once again God may bless America.”
Jim Pfeifer
Next to receive his quilt was veteran Jim Pfeifer.
“Jim Pfeifer enlisted in the United States Army on Oct. 14, 1965,” Friesen announced. “After completion of Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, he was assigned to STRATCOM-Nha Trang, Vietnam.”
Pfiefer was among the first to report for duty at STRATCOM- Nha Trang when it started as a new communication company that was built over several months of Pfiefer’s tour.
“Jim’s duties in Vietnam were as company clerk, responsible for processing all incoming and outgoing personnel, as well as preparing all official correspondence,” Freisen said. Jim attained the rank of Specialist 5, E5, while serving in Vietnam.
After completing his one year tour in Vietnam, Jim served in the Defense Language Institute, Presidio of Monterey, California, an institute that would teach foreign languages to all branches of the Armed Forces. There, Pfiefer had the position of Non-Comissioned Officer, taking charge of scheduling, administering, scoring, and entering the scores into records of servicemen attending and completing studies at the institute until he was honorably discharged on Oct. 18, 1968.