On August 25, 2024, during the Gems of the Prairie Quilters quilt show held at the Life Together Center in Peoria, Don Thompson, of Chillicothe and a Vietnam Veteran, was one of 12 recipients of the 2024 Quilts of Valor Award.  The award itself consists of three gifts: 1) a beautiful handmade quilt designed and constructed by the members of the local chapter of the Gems of the Prairie Quilters; 2) a beautiful book entitled Quilts of Valor A 50 State Salute; and 3) a formal certificate.  The Certificate reads:  The Quilts of Valor Foundation wishes to recognize you for your service to our nation.  We consider it a privilege to honor you.  Though we may never know the extent of your sacrifice and service to protect and defend the United States of America, as an expression of gratitude We Award You This Quilt of Valor.    Don was nominated by a friend, Sue Krause, of the local chapter who also designed and hand-quilted his beautiful quilt . 

When the Quilts of Valor Foundation was founded in 2003, its mission was to cover our nation’s military touched by war—that is, to cover them with quilts and honor their service.  To do that, a team of volunteers donate their time and materials to make a quilt collaboratively.  As of today, nearly 200,000 Quilts of Valor have been presented.  Don’s quilt is especially meaningful to him because one of his nieces, Jordan Miller, was one of the volunteers who assisted with this year’s quilts.