Sewcial Quilters Honor Veterans During Flag Day Ceremony
KAHOKA — Patriotism filled Kahoka City Park on Friday morning as the community gathered for the annual Flag Day parade and ceremony, where several veterans were honored with Quilts of Valor.
The presentation was made June 12 by the Sewcial Quilters of Clark County, who presented handmade quilts to veterans in recognition of their service, sacrifice and commitment to the nation. The ceremony served as a meaningful reminder of the freedoms represented by the American flag and the men and women who have defended them.
Those honored included veterans of the Vietnam War, the Korean defense era, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and active-duty military service.
LeeRoy Michael “Lee” Paben is currently serving in the United States Navy as an Engineman First Class, Surface Warfare. Paben served aboard the USS Carter Hall from 2008 to 2013, completing two nine-month deployments and part of a third. From 2013 to 2014, he served with Patrol Coastal Squadron in Bahrain, working on patrol craft and small boat engines. He later served at Norfolk Naval Shipyard from 2014 to 2018 and with the USS Tortuga from 2018 to 2024. He is now assigned to Naval Station Great Lakes Training Command. Paben holds the rank of E-6 and has earned the Surface Warfare Pin.
Ethan James Paben served in the United States Navy from 2010 to 2016 as an Electronics Technician 3rd Class. Known by his superiors as a “multi-tool,” Paben was recognized as a versatile technician capable of working on several types of equipment. He was stationed with the USS Wasp LHD-1. Because the ship was undergoing repairs during much of his time in the Navy, he was not deployed.
Jim Sherwood was drafted into the United States Army in 1967 during the Vietnam War. He spent 1968 in Vietnam with the 4th Infantry Division in the Central Highlands. The division, also known as the “Ivy Division,” operated in the triple-canopy jungles and mountains of the region. Sherwood’s awards include the Expert Rifle Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge and Vietnam Service Ribbon. He was honorably discharged in 1969.
Dennis Owen was drafted into the United States Army in June 1970. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and advanced individual training at Fort Bliss, Texas. Owen served as a missile crewman in Korea for 15 months and was honorably discharged in January 1972, 30 days early. His awards include Expert Marksman and the Korean Defense Ribbon.
Jeff Stone served in the United States Army from January 1985 to January 1989. He completed basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Bliss, Texas, and worked with the Chaparral Air Defense Artillery, a short-range air defense system. Stone served two years in Germany at Hahn Air Base and two weeks in Honduras. He received five Army Achievement Medals.
Richard Courtney served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1971, including three years of active duty and three years in the reserves. Courtney served with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Infantry Division. He worked with heavy artillery, including the 175 mm self-propelled gun. He spent eight to nine months near Tay Ninh, Vietnam, and two to three months near Ben Cat, Vietnam. In late 1967, Courtney spent 45 days in the field in the Iron Triangle. His awards include the Vietnam Service Medal and Rifle Marksman Badge. He attained the rank of specialist E-4.
Gary Webster volunteered for the United States Army in December 1969. He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and advanced individual training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Webster was deployed to Vietnam on June 8, 1970. While there, he operated a machine gun and radio relay on Nui Ba Den, known in English as Black Virgin Mountain. Webster returned from Vietnam in April 1971 after serving 10 months and 23 days there. He finished his service at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he drove officers at the Pentagon. Webster was honorably discharged in September 1971 as a specialist E-4. His awards include the Expert Rifle Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Jesse Hasten served in the United States Army from 2001 to 2003, followed by two years in the reserves. He completed basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, before attending heavy equipment operator training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Hasten is a combat veteran of Iraq and a United States paratrooper. He served during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Quilts of Valor presentation added a deeply personal and patriotic moment to Kahoka’s Flag Day observance, as each quilt served as a visible expression of gratitude from the community.
Through their work, the Sewcial Quilters of Clark County offered not only handmade quilts, but a lasting message to the veterans who received them: their service has not been forgotten.
