Area veterans honored by Quilts of Valor

On Friday, March 28, Quilts of Valor of the Ozarks presented several area veterans with handmade quilts in recognition of their service to our country. Woodland Lanes Bowling Center, located at 2126 E. St. Hwy. 76 in Branson, hosted the presentation ceremony. 

The following veterans were honored with a quilt: 

• Daren Breedlove Jr., U.S. Navy 

• Marty and Kathy Garrick, U.S. Army 

• Ronald Garrick, U.S. Navy 

• Phil Pate, U.S. Air Force 

• Jim VanDerPloeg, U.S. Navy 

• Robert Taylor, U.S. Air Force 

Shawn Murphy reads his poem.

As part of the presentation ceremony, special acknowledgement was given of Vietnam Veterans Day, observed on March 29. Quilts of Valor of the Ozarks has included the reading of the poem, “The Parade,” at quilt presentations since the poem was published in the Branson Globe during Veterans Homecoming Week last November. Friday’s ceremony was made extra special as the poem’s author, local veteran Shawn Murphy, was able to attend and personally read the poem, a poignant expression of his thoughts during a Veterans parade as he realized that many Vietnam veterans never were given such thanks. 

QOVO would like to thank Daren, Sr. and Patty Breedlove, owners of Woodland Lanes, for the use of the facility for the presentation. See more area presentation photos by following Quilts of Valor of the Ozarks on Facebook, where you can also find information about nominating a veteran to receive a quilt.