LANGFORD BROTHERS RECEIVE QUILTS OF VALOR

    Two Langford-area veterans received a warm and meaningful honor last weekend when they were wrapped in Quilts of Valor, recognizing their service to the nation during the Vietnam era.
Brothers Dale Swenson and Gary Jandahl were among eight veterans recognized during a ceremony at the K.O. Lee Public Library in Aberdeen. Each man was presented with a handmade quilt created by volunteers with the Quilts of Valor Foundation, a national program dedicated to comforting service members and veterans touched by war.
    Founded in 2003, the Quilts of Valor program began when Catherine Roberts, whose son was deployed to Iraq, dreamed of a struggling soldier whose despair lifted when he was wrapped in a quilt. From that dream grew a mission: to offer handmade quilts as a tangible expression of gratitude and healing. To date, more than 419,000 Quilts of Valor have been awarded across the nation.
    For Dale Swenson, the recognition brought back memories of his years in uniform. Swenson served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1971, reaching the rank of Specialist 4th Class. He completed basic training in Missouri, spent time in California, and served 19 months in Germany before returning home. After his service, Swenson worked as a truck driver and retired as a heavy equipment operator.
    “It’s a very nice program,” he said after the ceremony. “I appreciated it very much.”
    His brother Gary Jandahl also served as an Army Specialist 4th Class, enlisting right after graduating from high school. From 1960 to 1967, he worked in transportation and the motor pool while stationed in Germany, Washington, D.C., and California. After spending many years on the West Coast, he eventually moved back to the Langford area.
    Jandahl admitted the honor came as a surprise. “It was very pleasing, I never expected it,” he said. “I’ll try to honor this quilt and someday pass it on to my family.”
    Both men were nominated for the honor by family friend Wanda Strike. The quilts were made by a volunteer quilter from Huron and formally wrapped around the veterans during the ceremony, symbolizing comfort and gratitude.
    For the Swenson and Jandahl families, the recognition isn’t done yet. Another brother, Roger Swenson, who lives outside the area, has also been nominated to receive a Quilt of Valor and will likely be sent one soon.
    As Jandahl reflected on the day, he noted how meaningful the recognition felt: “It’s something I’ll never forget.”