By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Golden Plains Quilts of Valor awards 700th quilt
700th Quilt of Valor
A cake celebrating the 700th Golden Plains Quilts of Valor was presented Feb. 28 at the Great Bend American Legion. Pictured, from left: Jennifer Zupfer, Doris Berkley and Amy Schartz Mellor.

Group Leader Amy Schartz Mellor announced that Golden Plains Quilts of Valor awarded its 700th Quilt of Valor on February 28, 2020, to United States Navy veteran Bobbie Milford.

“Jennifer Zuper was able to be there with us during this celebration,” Mellor said. “Jenni’s mother was Debbie Berkley, whose idea it was to honor our local veterans. Doris Berkley, Debbie’s mother, was also present.”

Nine veterans were presented with quilts Friday at the Great Bend American Legion Post 180.


Bobbie Milford


United States Navy veteran Bobbie Milford was awarded the 700th Quilt of Valor from Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on February 28, 2020 at the American Legion Argonne Post 180 in Great Bend, Kansas. Bobbie served from 1997 to 2002, completing her basic training and electrical school at Great Lakes, IL. She served as an interior communications electrician aboard the USS Sacramento out of Bremerton, WA. Her rank was Interior Communications Two. The quilt top was made by Eileen Huslig; quilting by Amy Schartz Mellor. From left: Poncho Hitschmann, Eileen Huslig, Bobbie Milford, Amy Schartz Mellor, Bob Jarmer. 



 Bernard (Bernie) Schneweis


United States Army veteran Bernard “Bernie” Schneweis was awarded a Quilt of Valor from Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on February 28, 2020 at the American Legion Argonne Post 180 in Great Bend, Kansas. Bernie served from 1949 to 1951, completing basic training at Fort Chaffee, AR. He was trained in infantry, field artillery and as a radio operator. Bernie also served at Fort Hood, TX as a platoon leader. As a field radio operator, he delivered information from the field to headquarters. His rank was Corporal. The quilt top was made by Stephanie Ahrens; quilting by Amy Schartz Mellor. From left: Katharine Piper, Stephanie Ahrens, Bernie Schneweis, Amy Schartz Mellor, Ralph Sunley. 


Rex Rosenberg


United States Navy veteran Rex Rosenberg was awarded a Quilt of Valor from Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on February 28, 2020 at the American Legion Argonne Post 180 in Great Bend, Kansas. Rex served from 1964 to 1967, enlisting at the age of 17. After he completed boot camp in San Diego, CA, he was trained at communications technician school, basic and advanced “R” branch and high frequency direction finding school, all in Pensacola, FL. He was stationed at Naval Communications Station on Adak Island, Alaska, for 6 months, Army and Air Force Communications Station on Shemya Island, Alaska, for 7 months, and 1 year at the Naval Communications Station at Wahiawa, HI. Rex became proficient at copying Morse Code, achieving 30 to 40 words per minute. He attained the rank of E-4. The quilt top was made by Mary Lou Weiser; quilting by Amy Schartz Mellor. From left: Poncho Hitschmann, Mary Lou Weiser, Rex Rosenberg, Amy Schartz Mellor, Bob Jarmer.


Marvin Hensley


United States Army Reservist Marvin Hensley was awarded a Quilt of Valor from Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on February 28, 2020 at the American Legion Argonne Post 180 in Great Bend, Kansas. Marvin served from 1964 to 1970. He completed basic training at Fort Polk, LA and advanced training at Fort Sill, OK, serving as reserve drill sergeant. He also served at Clinton, OK and Fort Chaffee, AR. The quilt top was made by Tina Duryee; quilting by Amy Schartz Mellor. From left: Rick Munsch, Tina Duryee, Marvin Hensley, Chris Krueger, Amy Schartz Mellor.


 Kenneth Showalter


United States Navy veteran Kenneth Showalter was awarded a Quilt of Valor from Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on February 28, 2020 at the American Legion Argonne Post 180 in Great Bend, Kansas. Kenneth served from 1969 to 1973. He completed boot camp in San Diego, CA and electronics training in TN. He served in the Azores Islands and in Portugal. The quilt top was made by Linda Bittel; quilting by Amy Schartz Mellor. From left: Boe Levingston, Linda Bittel, Kenneth Showalter, Amy Schartz Mellor, David Krallman.


 Randolph (Randy) Strickland


United States Navy veteran Randolph “Randy” Strickland was awarded a Quilt of Valor from Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on February 28, 2020 at the American Legion Argonne Post 180 in Great Bend, Kansas. Randy served from 1975 to 1978, completing boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Base. He attended engineman school and was trained in diesel engines. His first ship was the USS Graham County, out of Naples, Italy, which operated in the Mediterranean. His second ship was the USS America, out of Norfolk, VA. He was assigned the admiral’s staff on this ship. His rank was Engineman Third Class. The quilt top was made by Tina Duryee; quilting by Amy Schartz Mellor. From left: Rick Munsch, Tina Duryee, Randy Strickland, Amy Schartz Mellor, Katharine Piper.


 Christopher Roddey

United States Army veteran Christopher Roddey was awarded a Quilt of Valor from Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on February 28, 2020 at the American Legion Argonne Post 180 in Great Bend, Kansas. Christopher has served from 1993 and is still serving. His rank is E-7. Christopher was trained as an infantryman at Fort Benning, GA. In 2003 he was trained in logistics at Fort Bliss, TX. He served in the South Carolina National Guard and active duty at Fort Riley, KS. Christopher was then a guardsman in Kansas and active guard reserve. The quilt top was made by LaWanna Krestine; quilting by Amy Schartz Mellor. From left: Boe Levingston, LaWanna Krestine, Christopher Roddey, Amy Schartz Mellor, Ralph Sunley.


 Aaron Emerson


United States Army veteran Aaron Emerson was awarded a Quilt of Valor from Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on February 28, 2020. Aaron served from 2005 to 2014, completing basic and advanced individual training at Fort Jackson, SC. He served primarily with the 325th Combat Support Hospital, Independence, MO. Aaron was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and also to Kuwait. He then transferred to the Training Battalion, 383rd Regiment, 2nd Battalion in Leavenworth. His rank was Staff Sergeant. The quilt top was made by Sharon King; quilting by Amy Schartz Mellor. From left: Boe Levingston, Amy Schartz Mellor, Aaron Emerson, Sharon King, Rick Munsch.


Joseph (Joe) Cruse


United States Army veteran Joseph “Joe” Cruse was awarded a Quilt of Valor from Golden Plains Quilts of Valor on February 28, 2020 at the American Legion Argonne Post 180 in Great Bend, Kansas. Joe served from 2008 to 2015, completing basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, GA. His first deployment was to Iraq where he operated radio equipment. His second deployment was to Kuwait and Iraq, where he served as a computer network specialist. He attained the rank of Sergeant. The quilt top was made by LaWanna Krestine; quilting by Amy Schartz Mellor. From left: Ralph Sunley, LaWanna Krestine, Joe Cruse, Amy Schartz Mellor, David Krallman.