Mark Isaacs, Denny Erickson, Greg Harle, Jim Lemanski and Wes Tessey were all recognized in a ceremony July 3 where the quilts were presented to them by the Quilts of Valor organization.

The presentation took place because of a special request from David Girton of Omaha, Nebraska, who served with Isaacs in the Marines in Vietnam. Girton reached out to the Vets Finding Vets and Quilt of Valor programs regarding getting a quilt for Isaacs, after he had a major surgery.

“I served with him and he was an infantry machine gunner,” Girton said. “He was wounded in Vietnam and received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Mark is legally blind and recently had a surgery in Buffalo because he had an aortic aneurysm. It was pretty serious and I thought I would like to get him something before he passed.”

Girton has known Isaacs and his daughter for many years. Isaacs’s daughter lives in Arkansas and his niece comes in and checks on him, so Girton said Isaacs lives alone, but is out of the hospital and doing wel now.

Quilt Of Valor presenter Ruth Shatzel is pictured with Mark Isaacs, Quilt of Valor helper Janice Shoup, James Lemanski, Dennis Erickson, Gregory Harle, Westley Tessey, and Quilt of Valor helper Barbara Reichard. Submitted photo

Girton reached out to the women who make the Quilts of Valor and they were able to set up a ceremony for Isaacs after reaching out to the other four veterans who also recently just went on an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C.

Girton said even though he lives in Omaha, he likes to keep in touch with Isaacs and help look after him from afar.

“We try to maintain that no one gets left behind,” Girton said. “I consider him and everyone that I served with my brothers. He is a decorated combat veteran and served well. We’re all survivors and we look after each other.”

Girton described Isaacs as positive, saying he “never gives up.” He said that Isaacs is a true Marine and though he was worried about him after getting out of the hospital, receiving the quilt gave him a boost and he is doing well now.

Isaacs said because he had just come out of surgery, at first he did not want to go to the ceremony.

“I was talked into it by a relative,” Isaacs said. “It was a thrill in a way. I didn’t think it would have that much of an impact on me, but it did.”

Girton, who also received his own Quilt of Valor a few years ago, called the recognition a great thing and said it was a big deal that someone took the time to continue to recognize veterans in that way.

The other veterans who received quilts that day agreed.

“Quilt of Valor is a special recognition bestowed on me and the other veterans,” Erickson said. “It shows the country still cares about us and gives closure during this time of conflict.”

Harle said he was surprised about being given a quilt, but said he was honored.

“I’m not sure how they go about collecting names, but it was an honor,” Harle said. “It’s something that I will pass on to my children.”

Tessey said the day was even more special as he got to be recognized not only along with his fellow veterans, but in front of others as well.

“It was quite an honor,” Tessey said. “It was unexpected but a great thing. I appreciated it and was honored to receive it in front of my comrades who also served in Vietnam and along with those who were on the Honor Flight with me. I would like to thank those who gave us the quilts and those who put the work into it, along with the Dwyer Peer to Peer Veteran group. I can’t thank them enough and will cherish it forever.”

Lemanski agreed with the others that he was honored to not only receive the quilt, but honored to serve as well.

“For an honor like that, there’s no way to express my gratitude,” Lemanski said. “It’s an honor to be nominated, let alone selected to receive one. There’s a lot going on in the world and to be a member of the military is an honor. People forget that our freedom is not free. We had to fight for it.”