Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Jil Mohr, left, and Diana King, right, present Doug Stubbe with a quilt.
COLFAX - Although pandemic restrictions are putting a cap on gatherings, Whitman County veterans are still being honored in ceremonies giving them handmade quilts.
Quilts of Valor bestowed quilts to local veterans in recent months, with more coming this month. In the past, Quilts of Valor honored many veterans in one ceremony. Current guidelines are dictating smaller gatherings taking place more often.
Quilts are made by members of Whitman Samplers Quilters Guild. Anyone wishing to support the program can leave donations at Palouse River Quilts.
Quilts of Valor Foundation is a national organization founded in 2003 by Catherine Roberts. With a son in Iraq, she dreamed of a young man sitting on the side of his bed surrounded by "war demons." She then saw him wrapped in a quilt and his demeanor changing to one of comfort and peace.
From this vision, Quilts for Soldiers was formed, now known as the Quilts for Valor Foundation. As of Nov. 1, 260,041 awards were made.
Dutch (Doug) Stubbe
Doug was in the Army as a Spec. E4 from 1964 to 1966 and again 1968-1969. He was a Communication Specialist/Stockade Guard. Doug was stationed in California and Washington at Fort Lewis.
Milton (Milt) Klettke
Milt served in the Army from 1945-1947. Milt was in the service during WWII as a PFC. Milt was with the European Theatre/Military Police. He was station ed in Austria, Germany and France.
Harold (Harry) Knopes
Harry served with the Air Force from Jan. 1954 through March 1975 during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was a Master Sergeant E7 and served with the National Security Agency as a Russian Linguist. Harry was stationed in Germany, Japan and Alaska.
Penny Martinez
Penny served in the Army from April 1986 to July 2010. She was a Staff Sergeant/E6 and was a military paralegal. Penny was stationed in Germany, Kansas, Texas and Washington.
Duane Steiger
Duane was in the Army 1968-1970 during the Vietnam era. He was a Specialist 5 and was an air traffic controller. He was stationed in Chu-Lai in the demilitarize zone.
Virgil Hatley
Virgil was in the Navy from February 1948 to January 1953. Virgil served in the Korean War as a Machinist Mate 3rd class. Virgil served in the Bomber Squad with the education office. He was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
Jana Mathia is a reporter at the Whitman County Gazette.
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