Quilts of Valor leave veterans covered in love
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen <BR> Denise Rork, the mother of U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jon “JJ” Bonnell Jr., wipes away a tear Saturday after being presented with a Quilt of Valor to honor her son’s memory. Bonnell was killed on Aug.7, 2007, by an IED in Iraq. Fort Dodge Area Quilters member Sue Lockner, at left, presented her with the quilt during a ceremony at the Fort Dodge VFW.
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen <BR> Kate Simpson and her daughter, Addie Simpson, 9, watch as U.S. Army veteran Cory Simpson is presented with a Fort Dodge Area Quilters "Quilt of Valor" during a presentation Saturday at Fort Dodge VFW Post 1856.
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen <BR> United States Marine Corps veteran Johnathan Roberts gives his Quilt of Valor a thumbs up Saturday after receiving it during a Fort Dodge Area Quilters “Quilt of Valor” presentation at Fort Dodge VFW Post 1856.
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen <BR> U.S. Army veteran Cory Simpson waits as Sue Lockner, at left, reads his bio during a Fort Dodge Area Quilters "Quilt of Valor" presentation Saturday at Fort Dodge VFW Post 1856. Simpson's quilt is at right.
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen <BR> Denise Rork, the mother of U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jon “JJ” Bonnell Jr., wipes away a tear Saturday after being presented with a Quilt of Valor to honor her son’s memory. Bonnell was killed on Aug.7, 2007, by an IED in Iraq. Fort Dodge Area Quilters member Sue Lockner, at left, presented her with the quilt during a ceremony at the Fort Dodge VFW.
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen <BR> Kate Simpson and her daughter, Addie Simpson, 9, watch as U.S. Army veteran Cory Simpson is presented with a Fort Dodge Area Quilters "Quilt of Valor" during a presentation Saturday at Fort Dodge VFW Post 1856.
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen <BR> United States Marine Corps veteran Johnathan Roberts gives his Quilt of Valor a thumbs up Saturday after receiving it during a Fort Dodge Area Quilters “Quilt of Valor” presentation at Fort Dodge VFW Post 1856.
-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen <BR> U.S. Army veteran Cory Simpson waits as Sue Lockner, at left, reads his bio during a Fort Dodge Area Quilters "Quilt of Valor" presentation Saturday at Fort Dodge VFW Post 1856. Simpson's quilt is at right.
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The Quilts of Valor made for local veterans by the Fort Dodge Area Quiltersall have something in common -- they're colorful, cozy and made with love.
On Saturday, a group of veterans and a mom who lost her son in combat, were each awarded a quilt during a ceremony at Fort Dodge VFW Post 1856.
Denise Rork, the mother of Marine Sgt. Jon "JJ" Bonnell Jr., received a Marine Corps-themed quilt. Bonnell was killed on Aug. 7, 2007, by an improvised explosive device while serving his second tour in Iraq.
Marine veteran Johnathan Roberts served from 1978 to 1992. He saw combat in Desert Storm with a tank battalion.
Air Force veteran Kurt Sumner served from 1981 to 2003. He was a member of the Thunderbirds, serving as a crew chief.
Marine veteran Michael L. Smith served from 1987 to 1991, and also served in the Army Reserves from 2006 to 2013. He served in Iraq in the military police.
Army veteran Cory Simpson served from 1997 to 2020. He spent much of that time as a military police soldier. He served on four deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan.
Navy veteran Anthony Thompson, who served from 2014 to 2020, was a nuclear reactor operator on the submarine USS Scranton.
Navy veteran Kenneth Walsh served from 1966 to 1970. He served on several aircraft carriers.
Army veteran Ronald Willwerth served from 1968 to 1972. He served at a Nevada test site working in the motor pool.
Army veteran Todd Korf served from 1985 to 1991. He served in Operation Desert Shield/Storm as a driver hauling heavy equipment to the front.