A token of appreciation: Kingsway veteran receives Quilt of Valor
As a red, white and blue handmade quilt was wrapped around Severin “Buddy” Riesgraf, a huge smile came across his face. Buddy, a Kingsway Retirement Living resident, was honored for his military service in front of family and friends during a recent Quilts of Valor presentation by St. Croix Hospice.
The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. Buddy’s oldest daughter, Carol, first learned of the program this summer while attending a school reunion in Omaha, NE. It was through St. Croix Hospice that the event became a reality for Buddy.
During the ceremony on Oct. 26, more than 20 family members were present to honor Buddy and his service to our country.
“It was unbelievable, it couldn’t have been any nicer,” said Buddy, who served in the Army during World War II.
“I was proud, very proud. We wouldn’t have our freedom if it wasn’t for all these veterans that fight in these wars,” Carol added, “I was so happy to see his nieces and nephews come, besides us kids and the grandkids, even all the participants from Hospice and Kingsway.”
Expressing thanks to veterans hasn’t always been done historically so the Quilts of Valor presentation strives to be a meaningful experience to express gratitude and appreciation for a lifetime. The Quilts of Valor Foundation has awarded more than 171,000 quilts to members of the armed services since 2003.
“You can tell that they respond really well to it and to be acknowledge for something that they did,” said Nyla Nightingale, volunteer coordinator at St. Croix Hospice. “A lot of them (veterans) say that they have never been honored.”
During the presentation, everyone was able to see the quilt before Buddy was wrapped in it. It’s currently on display on his bed and he sleeps with it each night.
“It’s out of this world, it’s something you’ve never seen before or will see. I just adore it. It couldn’t be any nicer,” Buddy said.
During the presentation, the symbolism of the quilt was explained beginning with the three layers. First, the top layer of the quilt with its many colors, shapes and fabrics represents the many individuals that make up a community. Second, the batting, represents our hope that the quilt will bring warmth, comfort, peace and healing to the individual that receives it. And thirdly, the backing is the strength that supports the other layers. It represents the strength of Buddy, the support of your family, our communities and our nation.
After sharing his story with us, God called Buddy home to heaven on Thursday, February 22, 2018.
Our love for Veterans
Caring for veterans, like Buddy, is important to The Lutheran Home Association (TLHA) as our history dates back to one family’s loss during the Civil War. A 15-year-old Ernst Boessling from Belle Plaine volunteered to serve with the Minnesota troops. He died in September of 1863 in service to his country at Vicksburg, Mississippi.
His mother, Sophie, had saved the government death benefits she received all the years after Ernst died. Wanting to provide a home for others like herself, she donated the money and her family’s farmland to build das Alten und Waisenheim—the Aged and Orphans’ Home. Now more than a century later, Sophie’s gift continues to benefit countless lives including several veterans. Currently, throughout the TLHA care communities, 80 residents have served in the armed forces.