Staff photo by Fritz Busch Veterans receiving Quilts of Valor at Sleepy Eye Veteran’s Park Thursday are from left, Clifford Lux, Lowell Heiderscheidt, Dennis Krzmarzick, Gordon Kuelbs, Gary Hinderman and William Lochner.

SLEEPY EYE — Six veterans received Quilts of Valor at Veteran’s Park in downtown Sleepy Eye Thursday.

Four of the men, Gary Hinderman, Bill Lochner, Dennis Krzmarzick and Gordon Kuelbs went to Vietnam together in 1968 with soldiers from the Winthrop U.S. Army Reserve Center.

U.S. Marines Vietnam Veteran Lowell Heiderscheidt and Clifford Lux who served in the U.S. Air Force, also received quilts from the Patriotic Piecers that includes members from Pipestone, Luverne, Windom and Westbrook.

Kuelbs received the National Defense Service Medal, Rifle Sharpshooter Bade, Vietnam Service Medal and a Bronze Star serving with the Army in 1968-1969.

“It’s nice all these people showed up here. This is well-appreciated,” said Kuelbs who said he farmed much of his life until his nephews took over the farm.

Heiderscheidt received the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal, serving in the Marines from 1964-1968.

“The good part was the last two days I was in Vietnam, my brother Leonard was deployed there so we visited for three days in Da Nang,” said Heiderscheidt. “He was in the infantry. I was in motor transport. I was glad to come home when it was over. I stay busy now driving trucks, pay loaders and bulldozers. I like to tinker with old tractors too.”

Krzmarzick received the National Defense Service Medal, Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, two overseas ribbons, the Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campiagn Medal, serving with the Army from 1967-1969.

“I was proud to serve in Vietnam. At first, I didn’t think it was really for me, but you learn a lot and see a lot,” he said.

Krzmarzick has been farming since coming home.

“We milked cows until 2013 and still grow corn and beans,” he said.

Lochner received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, M-14 Marksmanship award and Army Commendation Medal, serving from 1964-1969.

“I was proud when I came back (home),” he said.

Lux received the National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and Command Defense Certificate of Recognition, serving in the Air Force from 1965-1971 including 2 ½ years in England with stints in Germany and France too.

“I think everyone should serve two years in the military,” he said. “The military teaches valuable things you can use in life.”

For the past 15 years, Lux has tended his field of flags on Highway 14 just east of Essig.

The quilts were presented by Quilts of Valor Group Leader Paula Domena of Pipestone and volunteer Kerry Cassens of Westbrook.

Quilts of Valor members have made and awarded more than 400,000 quilts to service members and veterans across the country since 2003.

The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts.

For more information, visit https://www.qovf.org.