The eleven veterans nominated this year were as follows: Frederick “Fritz” Busch, U.S. Navy, Steven Eckstein, U.S. Navy, Stanley Gunneson, U.S .Army, David Suker, U.S. Air Force, Joe Schotzko U.S. Army, Douglas Pelzel U.S. Army, Paul Neudecker, U.S. Air Force, Don Gedrose, U.S. Navy, Lou Anne Page, U.S. Air Force, George “Skip” Ebenhoh, U.S. Army and Everett Sellner, U.S. Army.

Quilts of Valor Foundation began as a literally dream. Founder Catherine Roberts’ son Nate Roberts was deployed to Iraq.

“The dream was as vivid as real life,” Catherine Roberts said. “I saw a man sitting on the side of his bed in the middle of the night, hunched over. The permeating feeling was one of utter despair. I could see his war demons clustered around, dragging him down into an emotional gutter. Then as if viewing a movie, I saw him in the next scene wrapped in a quilt. His whole demeanor changed from one of despair to one of hope and well-being. The quilt had made this dramatic change.”

Paula Domena of the Marshall Area Quilts of Valor was the organizer of this event. Paula grew up in Sleepy Eye. She along with her two sisters wanted to do something for her hometown vets so the idea for this event began.

Doug Pelzel, former Sargent in the US Army is presented with his quilt Sleepy Eye’s Quilt of Valor program. Pelzel was one of 11 veterans to receive a quilt during the program.

“While there are many deserving veterans in this room,” Domena said, “There is a nominating process including interviews and the planning takes 6-18 months.”

She encouraged everyone in the room to consider nominating a veteran they know who is also just as deserving.

Each veteran had their own unique story.

Petty Officer First Class Fritz Busch served in the U.S. Navy from 1981-1991 and then again in 1996-2006 when he was recalled to active duty during Desert Storm.

He served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Gulf War. Busch received the Kuwait Liberation Medal, the SW Asia Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

Tuesday night in Sleepy Eye, 11 area veterans were recipients of Quilts of Valor. Back row: Joe Schotzko US Army, Steven Eckstein, US Navy, Stanley Gunneson, US Army, David Suker, US Air Force and Frederick “Fritz” Busch, US Navy. Front row: Douglas Pelzel US Army, Paul Neudecker, US Air Force, Don Gedrose, US Navy, Lou Anne Page, US Air Force, George “Skip” Ebenhoh, US Army and Everrett Sneller, US Army. Photo submitted by Paula Domena

“I was surprised to find out about Quilts of Valor Foundation having only recently learned about this resource for veterans,” Busch said. “It’s nice to be recognized for our service to the country, and this is a unique way to do so.”

Petty Officer Second Class Steve Eckstein served in the U.S. Navy from 1971-1975.He completed his basic and AlT training in San Diego. Steve was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the National Defense Medal.

Cpl. Stan Gunneson served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1970. He was stationed in Vietnam from September 1969 to September 1970 where he received the following: The Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Stars, Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Grenade and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm-Unit Citation.

Staff Sgt. David Suker served in the U.S. Air Force from 1966-1970. He completed his basic training in San Antonio and his AlT training in Denver, Colorado. Suker was trained in photo intelligence and worked in war preparation. He received the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, The National Defense Medal, Air Force Accommodation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

Lt. Col. Joe Schotzko served in the U.S. Army from 1992-2018. He was deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Joe received the following: Bronze Star Medal (2);Meritorious Service Medal (4); Army Commendation Medal (2); Meritorious Unit Commendation; USAF Presidential Unit Citation; Valorous Unit Award; National Defense Service Award; Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (3); Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal; Nato Medal; Ranger Tab; Combat Action Badge; Pathfinder Badge; Senior Parachute Badge; Parachutist Badge; Air Assault Badge; Expert Marksman Badge w/grenade bar; Expert Marksmanship Badge w/pistol bar; Marksmanship Badge with Automatic Rifle bar.

Sgt. Doug Pelzel served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1970. He completed basic training at Fort Campell, Kentucky, and AIT training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, to be a truck driver. Pelzel was deployed to Qui Nhon, Vietnam where he hauled supplies to the troops. Doug received The Bronze Star, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Senior Airman Paul Neudecker served active duty in the U.S. Air Force from 1966-1970 and in the Air Force reserves from 1970-1972. He completed his basic training at Lackland Airfield, Texas, and AIT training at Chanute Airfield, Illinois, where he was trained as a fuel systems mechanic. Paul received the Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the National Defense Medal; the Air Force Good Conduct Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal as part of the 27th Special Operations Command.

Petty Officer Third Class Don Gedrose served in the U.S Navy from 1969-1973.He completed his basic training in San Diego, California, followed by AIT training in Billington, Tennessee, where he attended Aircraft Engine School. He was then retrained to be a helicopter air crewman. Don received the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal along with other medals he can’t recall.

Cpl. George “Skip” Ebenhoh served in the U.S. Army from October 1952 through September 1954 during the Korean Conflict. He received the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean Service Ribbon.

U.S. Army Specialist 4 Everett Sellner served in active duty from 1955 -1957 and then six years inactive, until 1963. He served in Korea as a tank driver. Spent 15 months at the DMZ where he suffered from frozen feet. Everett received the Good Conduct Medal, the Korean Defense Medal and Sharp Shooter Medal.

Col. Lou Anne Page served in the U.S. Air Force from 1976-2005, retiring after 30 years. Her active-duty assignments included Dover Air Force Base in Dover Delaware, Incirlik Air Force Base in Adana Turkey, Wiesbaden Airforce Base Hospital, Wiesbaden Germany and Del Rio Air Force Base, Del Rio Texas, among other assignments. Lou Anne received numerous medals and awards including Air Force Meritorious (2), Air Force Commendation Medal (3) and the National Defense Medal.

Special badges were of particular meaning to her as a nurse, chief nurse, flight nurse, flight nurse instructor and flight nurse examiner. One of her most memorable experiences was when she took care of the U.S. hostages after they were released from captivity in Iran. Providing special care and comforting back to Wiesbaden Air Force Base Hospital and eventually returning home to the United States.

“These Quilts of Valor are very special,” Page said. “There are so many men and women out there today who are still serving and keeping our country safe.”

For more information on Quilts of Valor Foundation, please visit www.qovf.org