On Saturday, he was presented with something that will help him keep warm the next time he goes: a handcrafted Quilt of Valor made by members of the Fort Dodge Area Quilters Inc.

Cindy Kaufman, president of the group, spoke before giving quilts to Olmstead and five other veterans during a ceremony at the Ringland-Smeltzer House in Fort Dodge.

“We consider it a privilege to honor you,” she said. “These quilts are an expression of gratitude.”

The room grew quiet as the bio of Army veteran Larry Harklau was read by Linda Mersch.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Charlotte Duneman, at left, reads her husband's bio Saturday afternoon as he is presented with a Quilt of Valor by the Fort Dodge Area Quilters Inc. Richard Duneman served in the Air Force.

He was sent to Vietnam in April of 1967.

“He fought in the Central Highlands most of the time,” she said. “He was moved to the DMZ as the Tet Offensive started and fought against North Vietnamese troops rather than the Viet Cong. Though they were supported by helicopters, they walked many miles through jungles and mountains.”

He had what may have been one of the worst jobs there.

“Larry was part of a group that was tasked to dig up graves to prove to politicians that they were being accurate about the numbers of enemy they had killed.” she said. “The soldiers were provided World War II C-Rations for meals. Clothing didn’t last long due to being constantly wet in the jungle conditions.”

Harklau came home with a Purple Heart. It is a military decoration awarded in the name of the president to those wounded or killed while servingwith the U.S. military.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Fort Dodge Area Quilters Inc., members Janet McKinney, at left, along with Carol Heatherington present Army veteran Roger Simonson with his Quilt of Valor Saturday afternoon at the Smeltzer House.

“Larry received a Purple Heart after 13 soldiers were buried alive when a bunker was blown up.” she said. “Just three survived.”

Harklau is proud of his service.

“Larry was drafted, but would serve his country again anytime,” she said.

Gerald Bourdeaux served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1968. He was in something called the Kiddy Cruise program that let him join before turning 18.

One of his duty stations was Bouknadel, Morocco.

Linda Peterson read from his bio.

“The outdoor temperatures were in the 100-plus degree range,” she said. “The men could only work for 30-minute intervals with a cool-down break of 30 minutes.”

Charlotte Duneman read from her husband, Air Force veteran Richard Duneman’s bio.

“Rick was assigned to the Aerospace Defense Command as a radar operator at the United State’s first nuclear-powered radar installation at Sundance, Wyoming,” she said. “After that, he was assigned to remote radar sites in Alaska, Unalakleet on the Bering Sea, and Fort Yukon above the Arctic Circle.”

After his service, he worked for the FAA as an air traffic controller and then Lockheed Martin.

Now retired, he’s active in a number of service groups.

Roger Simonson was drafted into the Army in 1969. He was sent to Vietnam in January 1970. He was discharged in December of 1970, taking advantage of what was referred to as “Nixon’s early out plan.”

Simonson is very involved with the VFW; he’s a past commander, junior vice and senior vice. He currently serves as Fort Dodge VFW Post 1856 adjutant.

His activities include the rifle squad, which assists at veteran’s funerals and presenting the colors at school, and other events. He’s also involved with Disabled American Veterans and helps drive vets to health care visits.

John Mead is an Army veteran who entered the Army in June of 1971.

He was deployed to Vietnam in January of 1972.

During his deployment, he worked on helicopters and was also on active flight status. He left Vietnam in January of 1973 and then spent 17 months at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he reported to the 82d Airborne Division.

Born and raised in Ohio, Mead came to Iowa to raise a family. He drove a truck for 35 years before retiring with a disability in 2011.

The quilters are ready for next year, Kaufman said.

“We have seven all ready for next year.” she said.

The veterans are nominated by family members and friends. To nominate a veteran for a quilt, contact Kaufman at 515-576-0295.