LUCAS — U.S. Navy veteran John Shaffer was wrapped in a handmade symbol of warmth, honor and healing on Saturday, standing before family, friends and supporters.
The Lucas resident, who served for a decade, was presented with a Quilt of Valor to honor his service, which included three tours of duty during the Vietnam War.
Belinda Hughes, a volunteer with the Quilts of Valor Foundation, and her son, Ohio Army National Guard veteran Derek Hughes, presented the award to Shaffer at 160 W. Main St.
Shaffer enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and served from 1957 to 1967. He completed basic training at the Naval Training Center in San Diego and later attended Class C Engineman School at the Naval Training Center Great Lakes.
His service took him across the Pacific and to multiple duty stations, including assignments aboard the cruiser USS Roanoke (CL-145); the aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31); the coastal survey ship USS Littlehales (AGSC-15); and the Alstede-class stores ship USS Zelima (AF-49), which provided fleet support.
Shaffer also served at AFDM-5, a medium floating dry dock in Subic Bay, Philippines, and at U.S. Naval Facility Centerville Beach in California.
Shaffer completed his naval service and was discharged at Treasure Island, Calif., as an engineman first class petty officer. During his career, he earned two Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
The ceremony followed the Quilts of Valor Foundation’s mission to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts.
Catherine Roberts founded the movement in 2003 while her son was deployed to Iraq. Since then, the organization’s network of more than 11,000 members and volunteers nationwide has awarded over 457,000 quilts.
As Derek Hughes held open the quilt for the gathering to see, Belinda Hughes detailed the meaning stitched into each of its three layers.
“A Quilt of Valor is a lifetime award. It is not bought, nor sold, nor is it a gift. It is an award earned by you, and it is priceless for that reason,” Belinda Hughes said. “As we are stitching, we are remembering the sacrifices you made for us.”
Hughes explained that the top layer, composed of varying fabric pieces, shapes, colors and sizes, represents the diverse faces of all who serve in the armed forces. The center batting symbolizes the warmth, comfort and healing offered to the veteran. The backing, combined with thousands of individual stitches, represents strength and the collective embrace of veterans, their families and communities.
After wrapping Shaffer in the quilt, the presenters delivered a formal welcome home and presented him with an official award certificate along with a copy of the ceremony’s presentation notes.
Organizers also completed event documentation by having Shaffer sign a photo release and made informational cards available for attendees interested in donating or nominating future recipients through the organization’s website, QOVF.org.
“John, on behalf of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, ‘Welcome Home, thank you for your service and thank you for allowing us to recognize you,'” Belinda Hughes said.
