Chuck Baedke and Dave McGaughy were presented with Quilts of Valor during a brief event at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1856.

Baedke served in the Army from 1952 to 1954. He was a member of an artillery unit.

McGaughy served his country for 29 years, first in the Marine Corps and later in the Iowa Air National Guard.

The quilts were presented by Deer Creek Epworth United Methodist Quilt Club and Our Community Honoring Veterans.

Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Army veteran Chuck Baedke, center, was presented a Quilt of Valor Saturday at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1856. Baedke, of Fort Dodge, served in an artillery unit. Joining him for the presentation were, from left, Chris Weiland, quilter Deb Kramer, quilter Irene Whitehill, quilter Pat Saunders and Rich Lennon.

The quilts presented Saturday were made by Deb Kramer, Pat Saunders and Irene Whitehill, all of Fort Dodge.

Don Sells, who leads Our Community Honoring Veterans, said a committee accepted nominations for potential quilt recipients. He said the nominees were judged based on their military service and what they are currently doing to support veterans.

Baedke, a member of the VFW Honor Guard, has worked at 350 funerals in the last five years.

McGaughy set up a program called Veterans Closet in which he collects shoes and clothes to be distributed to veterans and families in need.