Local veterans presented with Quilts of Valor

Published by admin on Wed, 12/29/2021 - 8:24am

Several local veterans were honored with Quilts of Valor. From left are Roger Digmann, U.S. Air Force; Bob Shimanek, U.S. Army; and Don Appleby, U.S. Navy. (Photos submitted)

Jeff Appleby, a veteran of the U.S. Army, proudly displays his Quilt of Valor.

U.S. Army veteran Rex Struve receives a Quilt of Valor as a thanks for his service.
By: 
Staff report

     Five local veterans were honored with Quilts of Valor:

     • Roger Digmann

     • Bob Shimanek

     • Don Appleby

     • Jeff Appleby

     • Rex Struve

     Those who made the quilts and presented them to the veterans included Kim Tauke, Pat Tauke, and Linda Benke.

     The quilts read: “This is a Quilt of Valor to honor and comfort those who have served our country.”

     Rex Struve served in the U.S. Army from 1951-53. He was stationed in Korea, working as a medic.

     Bob Shimanek enlisted in the U.S. Army on July 25, 1968. He completed Basic Training in October 1968 at Fort Bliss in Texas. From there, he transferred to Fort Holabird in Maryland. While there, Shimanek completed 16 weeks of Army Intelligence School. In March 1969, he then transferred to the Presidio of Monterey in Monterey, Calif. Shimanek studied Vietnamese.

     On Nov. 17, 1969, Shimanek was sent to the Republic of Vietnam. He was assigned to the 191 Military Company, 1st Air Calvary Division, working as an intelligence agent.

     Shimanek served until March 2, 1971.

     While in the Army, he received two Bronze Stars, the Air Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.

     Don Appleby served in the U.S. Navy from 1952-56. He completed his Basic Training in San Diego, Calif. He was assigned to serve on the USS Severn, which was an oil tanker. Appleby worked as a radioman.

     Jeff Appleby served in the U.S. Army from 1968-76. He completed Basic Training at Fort Polk in Louisiana. His MOS (military occupational specialties) was a supply specialist. Throughout Appleby’s time in the military, he was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and Fort Ord in California. He served in Korea and Germany.

     Appleby later reenlisted in the Navy Reserved, and served for four years. He was stationed in Dubuque during that time.

     He was honorably discharged in 1981.

     Roger Digmann served in the U.S. Air Force from 1964-68, working as a construction equipment repairman.

     During his time in the service, he was stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.

     Digmann put in 11 months in Vietnam at Bien Hoa Air Base. After he returned home, he went to work at Lockbourne Air Force Base in Ohio.

     Digmann was honorably discharged on Dec. 3, 1967.

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