NEWBERRY COUNTY — Three Newberry County veterans were recently presented with quilts on behalf of the Quilts of Valor Foundation.
Earl Wicker was nominated to receive a quilt from his longtime friend Jack Brunnemer. Friends and family gathered at Ronnie’s Buffet and Grill on Jan. 30 to celebrate Wicker’s birthday during which he was presented with his Quilt of Valor.
“This had a very big effect on him and even when she (Donnelly) presented it he said ‘I don’t deserve all of this,’ he helps everybody in the community there is, don’t matter what’s going on, he’s there, he’s just a really special person,” said Roxianne Brunnemer, Wicker’s niece.
Brunnemer added she and her husband Jack then called and asked if they could nominate Wicker for a quilt.
“We got a phone call a couple months later saying it was ready, which was amazing, Quilts of Valor operates on donations, it’s a wonderful organization and they’re always needing help, especially donations,” she said.
Wicker served in the Army during the Vietnam War.
Brunnemer said Wicker is not only a veteran, but a son, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who always lends a helping hand. She also gave a special thanks to Ronnie’s Buffet and Grill for their help.
Carroll Swain and William Slater were presented with Quilts of Valor at First Baptist Church, Prosperity on Feb. 3. Swain served in the United States Air Force from 1947-1955 during the Korean War, while Slater served in the United States Navy from 1959-1994. Slater came up through the ranks and was discharged as a Navy lieutenant.
Jodi Donnelly presented the quilts on behalf of the Quilts of Valor Foundation.
The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover veterans who have been affected by war with a warm and comforting quilt. The Foundation is a national organization which has awarded over 210,760 quilts and to date awards the most quilts to well deserving veterans.