EARLY – On Wednesday afternoon at the Quilter’s Hide Out, three Quilts of Valor were presented to a trio of U.S. Military Veterans – B.R. Teague of Blanket, Stephanie Alvarenga of Comanche, and James Puckett of Bangs.

Vita Weehunt, owner of the Quilter’s Hide Out, said during the presentation, “Quilts of Valor was started in 2003 by a mom whose son was in Iran. She was a quilter and thought a quilt would be a great comfort to our veterans. They have distributed them throughout the United States at hospitals, wherever there’s a need.”

The Quilts of Valor consist of three layers stitched together, Weehunt continued.

“The top of the quilt has many colors, shapes and fabrics and that represents the community and the many individuals we are,” Weehunt said. “The bedding is the center of the quilt, the warmth and it represents the hope that these quilts bring warmth, comfort, peace and healing to those who receive them. The packing of the quilt is considered the strength that supports the other layers, and it represents the strength of the recipients, the support of their families, our community and our nation. Each stitch that holds the quilt together represents love, gratitude and sometimes tears of the maker.”

Teague joined the Army in 1960 and was serving in Germany but less than a year into his stay, he returned home due to his wife Doris suffering from a heart ailment which resulted in surgery. Teague spent the rest of his term in Fort Hood, until 1966.

Alvarenga, during her 11-year stint with the Air Force, was stationed in Maryland, California, Korea and Afghanistan. She was a translator and worked in intelligence, working with interrogators while being deployed.

Puckett served in the Army from 1965-67 and was stationed at Fort Polk, Fort Jordan, White Sands Missile Range, South Vietnam and Okinawa. Awards and accommodations he received include Expert Rifle, Marksman Pistol, South Vietnam Ribbons, and Honorable Discharge.