Former Manchester residents receive “Quilts of Valor”

Joan Koebbe Lyon, formerly of Manchester, receives a Quilt of Valor

Jim Lyon, Joan’s husband, also served and received his quilt of valor along with her.

by Marsha Chartrand

The Quilts of Valor Foundation was founded in 2003 based on, literally, a dream.

Founder Catherine Roberts’ son Nat was deployed in Iraq. She describes the dream as “vivid as real life,” where she saw a young man sitting on the side of his bed in the middle of the night, hunched over in utter despair. But in the next “scene” of her dream, she saw the young man wrapped in a quilt; his demeanor changed from despair to hope and well-being. She felt the message of her dream was: Quilts = Healing.

Thus started a mission to cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. Since then a lifetime total of more than 362,500 quilts have been distributed.

Recently, two former Manchester residents and natives were honored with quilts from the QOVF: Jim Lyon and Joan Koebbe Lyon, who both served in the military. Joan grew up here and Jim worked for Koebbe Welding before they moved to South Dakota. They received these quilts in honor of their service to the country.

To nominate a service member or living veteran for a quilt, go to qovf.org/nominations-awards.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.