The Missouri Freedom Quilters presented Quilts of Valor to a few local servicemen during a ceremony held at the Rock Port Methodist Church Friday, March 21, 2025. Presented with quilts were Charles Hurst, Nic King, Jacob Wheeler, Thomas Howard, and Chris King (not pictured).
Five local servicemen were presented with Quilts of Valor made by the local Missouri Freedom Quilters at a cermony held Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Rock Port Methodist Church. Charles Hurst, Thomas Howard, Nic King, Chris King, and Jacob Wheeler were presented with patriotic quilts, honoring them for their years of service to this country.
Charles Hurst served in the United States Air Force, having received his commission as a 1st Lieutenant in the Air Force June 6, 1956. He then served as a Captain in the reserves. Charlie was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, Bartow, Florida, and Riverside, California, from January 1, 1957, to April 20, 1959.
Thomas Howard served in the United States Air Force May 21, 1969, to December 1, 1989, and was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base (AFB) in Texas, Chanute AFB in Illinois, Offutt AFB in Nebraska, U-Tapao AFB in Thailand, CCK AFB in Taiwan, Minot AFB in North Dakota, Clark AFB in the Philippines, and Holloman AFB in New Mexico.
Nicholas King served in the United States Navy. He was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, Iraq, Afghanistan, St. Joseph, Missouri, Brush Creek, Kansas City, Missouri, and Belton, Missouri. He served his country from 1988 to 2013.
Chris King served in the United States Navy as an EO1 from 1991 to 2007. He was stationed in St. Joseph, Missouri, Belton, Missouri, San Diego, California, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Iraq, Hunter Liggett, California, Port Hueneme, California, and in Adak, Alaska.
Jacob Wheeler served in the United States Army from 2013 to 2016 and in the Army National Guard from 2020 to 2024. He was stationed at Fort Campbell and in Afghanistan.
The Missouri Freedom Quilters have now made 150 Quilts of Valor for local veterans. These quilts are registered to Quilts of Valor with the recipient’s name. The group operates solely on donations to their project. They have been able to do this through the generous donations of businesses and individuals in and around our community. If you know of a local veteran who has not yet received a Quilt of Valor, call Sharon Groff at 660-744-2544 or Jean Mensen at 660-744-4885.
