Heritage Center hosts QOV presentation to veterans

From now through the end of February, the Monticello Heritage and Cultural Center invite the public in to check out the quilt display of almost 30 quilts. 

Aside from the temporary display, the Heritage Center is also hosting several special events about quilts. On Sunday, Feb. 2, Kim Tauke and Pat Tauke, daughter and mother-in-law, shared the history of the Quilts of Valor. They also presented two QOV to Monticello veterans Harold White and Dennis Joslyn. 

The Heritage Center was packed with friends, neighbors and fellow veterans of both White and Joslyn to share in their honor and thank them for their service. White served in the Marines from 1963-66. He earned the rank of Corporal E4 when he was honorably discharged. 

White enlisted in the Marines following President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. He spent time in California and Hawaii for training. White was then stationed off the coast of the Philippines for three months. His duties consisted of maintaining the generator for the line unit, running electrical lines to the tents, and repairing field telephones. 

White earned the National Defense Service Medal for his service. 

White’s family also has a strong history of military service. His father, Richard White, was killed in WWII in 1945. His son, John White, served in the Navy and was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1990 while stationed in Hawaii. 

Joslyn made a career out of his military service in the Air Force. He served from 1961-83, retiring as a Master Sergeant E7 in California. 

Joslyn was inducted into the service at Fort Des Moines, and took the train immediately to San Antonio, Texas, for training. 

During his 20-plus years in the service, Joslyn spent time all over the country in Texas, Illinois, Montana, Georgia, Iowa, Colorado, and North Carolina. He also spent time overseas in the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Germany. 

Joslyn spent much of his military career working on various military aircraft and tankers. 

The QOV national effort began in 2003. The Taukes have been doing it since 2015. To date, over 242,000 veterans have been awarded QOV across the country. For the Taukes, they’ve made 81 quilts, presenting 19 to veterans in 2019. In addition to presenting quilts locally, both gals also assist others in the same effort. Combining those quilt presentations, they’ve handed out 59 quilts in 2019 alone. 

“There are a lot of people working toward thanking our veterans,” acknowledge Kim. 

QOV started when a mother’s son came home from a tour of duty in Iraq. She wanted a way to thank veterans for their service, to show her appreciation. 

The same is true for Kim and Pat Tauke. Both have sons and grandsons who served this country. For Kim, her son, stepson, and husband were all gone at the same time. Her son was a mechanic, a job she never thought would put him in harms way. 

“Even though you’re a mechanic, you’re an infantry guy first,” explained Kim. “If they need you wherever they need you, they’re going to put you in those positions.” 

Her son’s unit went out on an assignment and two weeks before they were to return home, they were ambushed. 

“You just never know what will happen,” said Kim. “Everybody has his/her own scenarios. There are so many underlining stories we don’t know about. You never know what a veteran has gone through. That’s why Pat and I do this.” 

On the back of each quilt is a label sharing the veteran’s brief history in the military. Kim and Pat personally visit with each veteran to hear their story, spending hours with the veterans. 

“The QOV mission is to cover all of our warriors and veterans who have been touched by war, with our healing and comforting. Welcomed home with the love and gratitude they deserve. It’s a tangible reminder of America’s appreciation and gratitude,” said Kim. 

While it’s not a requirement that every QOV be red, white, and blue. The Taukes take pride in using just those colors when making their quilts. As Kim said, our veterans are fighting for the red, white, and blue. 

“The QOV are stitched with love, prayers and healing thoughts for our service men and women who have stepped forward to put their lives on the line to serve and protect our country.” 

The average cost for a quilt is $175, and that’s on the low end, Kim said. QOV has an account set up for donations at DuTrac Community Credit Union under “Quilts for Veterans.” 

“A lot of veterans come home and they might not have a physical wound, but they’ve been in combat or they served. They should all be thanked,” said Kim.