“Sewn with love” | News, Sports, Jobs

They are warm, cozy, colorful and made with love and care.

Cyndie Salvatore, the group’s president, talked about what the quilts are made of.

“They are embroidered with love and healing thoughts,” She said. “Their purpose is to cover a soldier affected by war with a blanket of love.”

Salvatore said the three layers of quilts represent three different concepts.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen

US Navy veteran Peggy Chalstrom receives her Quilt of Valor on Saturday at the Fort Dodge VFW. Linda Mersch (left) and Mary Almond and Cyndie Salvtore (right) help her with the quilt. Her quilt was made by Cindy Kaufman.

“The top represents the community,” She said. “The second layer, the padding, represents comfort and peace. The third layer, the base, represents strength and community.”

The veterans who received quilts were:

• Navy veteran Gordon Chalstom served from 1968 to 1988. His quilt was made by Lynette Nielsen.

• Air Force/Air Guard veteran Bill Mader served in the Air Force from 1971 to 1977 and in the Air Guard from 1981 to 2011. His quilt was made by Ruth Houston.

• U.S. Army veteran Michael Adams served from September 1967 to September 1969. His quilt was made by Sue Lockner.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen

U.S. Army veteran Wilmer Deibert, who served in the Korean War, is wrapped in his Quilt of Valor on Saturday at the Fort Dodge VFW. Cyndie Salvatore, president of the Fort Dodge Area Quilters (right), and her co-chair Mary Almond do the honors. His quilt was made by Nancy Spire.

• U.S. Navy veteran Doug Wilk served from July 1980 to November 1998. His quilt was made by Cyndie Salvatore.

• Peggy Chalstrom, U.S. Navy veteran, served from April 1968 to 1970. Her quilt was made by Cindy Kaufman.

• US Army veteran Rene Korf served from 1987 to 1991. Her quilt was made by Jean Warg.

• U.S. Army veteran Wilmer Deibert served from 1953 to 1955. His quilt was made by Nancy Spire.

Mary Almond, co-chair, considers it a privilege to be able to make and donate the quilts.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen

U.S. Army veteran Michael Adams is all smiles as he is presented with his Quilt of Valor at the Fort Dodge VFW on Saturday. Cyndie Salvatore, president of the Fort Dodge Area Quilters, helps drape it around his shoulders.

“We want to honor our veterans who have served,” She said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Bill Mader, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Air Guard, looks at his Quilt of Valor at the Fort Dodge VFW on Saturday. Cyndie Salvatore, president of the Fort Dodge Area Quilters, helps him drape it around his shoulders.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen

Navy veteran Doug Wilk was presented with his Quilt of Valor on Saturday at the Fort Dodge VFW. Mary Almond, left, co-chair of the Fort Dodge Area Quilters, helps drape it around his shoulders with the help of Lynette Nielsen.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
U.S. Army veteran Michael Adams is all smiles as he is presented with his Quilt of Valor at the Fort Dodge VFW on Saturday. Cyndie Salvatore, president of the Fort Dodge Area Quilters, helps drape it around his shoulders.