Quilts of Valor
Friday, February 21, 2025 was a special day for me and for three very special veterans, formerly from the McVille area and their families. I was able to present three Vietnam -era veterans with beautiful Quilts of Valor in the beautiful, still under construction, Dakota Medical Foundation building in south Fargo.
Sometimes I have been able to make these presentations as a surprise, but there were too many things to be arranged to make things come together, and to make this a special event. We all met in a conference room at 1:00 PM and the visiting and stories freely flowed for several hours.
Gail Stahl, wife of Merlin Stahl, one of the Vietnam-era veterans graciously served the group fresh pumpkin cookies and plenty of hot coffee. Others attending were Roy Klinger Jr. and his wife, as well as Louie Ringdahl, his wife, 2 daughters, and a grandson.
After I shared the background story of the Quilts of Valor, I shared the story of the group of creative ladies across our area who create such beautiful works of art. They go by the name Homebound Quilters and create these beautiful quilts using their own funding and many hours of work. They follow strict guidelines of the Quilts of Valor Organization, and each quilt is registered with that group upon veterans receiving one.
The program included special guest, Don Herrly, the American Legion Department Adjutant who presented each veteran and their wives a special ‘Welcome Home” coin. Veterans of the Vietnam War were not always given the ‘welcome home’ they deserved. These coins reflect the true appreciation the veteran’s service organization has for these veterans, even though long after the war ended. The beautiful coins were well received and appreciated.
It was a wonderful way to spend a Friday afternoon. The veterans were very appreciative of the Quilts, and their families were happy to have their veteran’s recognized for their service. I always feel so blessed when I can serve in some small way at a quilt presentation event. God Bless these special veterans who were finally “Welcomed Home” and thanked for their service.
Judy Twete. President Ole Semling Unit 0135 McVille, ND
Community Service in the McVille Area
The American Legion Auxiliary Ole Semling Unit 135 of McVille is proud and happy to be able to deliver Care Animals to Nelson County Health System Hospital, following a delivery to the District 2 Spring Meeting.
Jennifer Rustin, Department of Nursing, is pictured as she accepted the donation with open arms and hands petting the donated animals! These animals will ‘lie-in-wait’ near the Emergency Department and are ready for quick distribution when a scared child needs some comfort. Some of the animals donated to the hospital will also be ready for a ride in the McVille Ambulance, for the same reason.
Our unit is pleased to be able to receive these Care Animals from the Children And Youth Program of the American Legion Family. There is great pride in anything that goes on at a small rural town health center and this donation really warmed many hearts now and will again in the future.
Pictured with a big smile are Nelson County Health Services Foundation Director, Kenzie Engen, holding a basket of donated Rada cutlery. The fun basket was a donation from Ole Semling Unit 135 for the auction at the Diamonds and Denim Event sponsored by the foundation. The gala will take place in Lakota, ND, one of the areas served by the health system.
We want to thank Don Weible and his assistants for the great job he does as part of the American Legion Family’s Children and Youth Program.
New Members and New Ideas in McVille
A young couple moved into McVille about a year ago. They both found jobs in the area and settled in. It was discovered that the young man was a veteran. Quickly, he became a Legionnaire, and the Auxiliary gained a new active member as well.
Morgan attended meetings and listened carefully and took in a lot of information. Soon, this new member became a new mother. Well, the unit decided we would pay for a Junior Membership for baby Sophie, thus gaining two new members. Good for us! Two new members and one interested in being active.
During our unit’s January meeting, we discussed asking the elementary school in town to make valentines for local veterans in the nursing home and the assisted living facilities in McVille. We had asked them before and so appreciated the efforts of all the children.
Rather than just having students create cards this time, Morgan excitedly floated a great idea. Morgan thought if the children had a different venue and a different project, that we could get valentines made and delivered to the veterans easily. We could just see the ideas circulating in Morgan’s head! The ideas just kept coming! Make it a Saturday project at the welcoming McVille Library/ City Auditorium. Ask a veteran to share stories and answer questions such as “What is a veteran?” We would invite parents or other interested adults to take part and serve valentine cookies and treats! Morgan was just bubbling over with ideas for this new project.
Morgan envisioned inviting local children and anyone else interested to come to the library/auditorium on February 8th and create Valentines for Veterans. Unit members thought this was a wonderful project. One member would make treat bags for the children in a Valentine’s theme, we would invite a veteran to speak about just what a veteran is, craft items were lined up, the advertising was ready to be posted, and the cookie recipe was ready to be used to make cookies.
It is so exciting to have this local project come together so quickly for the community in support of our children and youth and veterans at the
same time. Thank you, Morgan, for your fresh ideas and welcome to Ole Semling Unit 135 of McVille.
Last fall, I received information from the Department Secretary on some of the many members of Unit 500 (the Department Unit). I wrote letters to 148 members in that inactive unit, and we are delighted that our unit has over 10 members that transferred into Unit 135. Where there is incentive, there is a way! We are so excited to gain these new members and new transfers.
Submitted by: Judy Twete, Unit 135 President and Department NEC (2025-2027)