Nebraska Heartland Quilts of Valor gift three quilts

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) - The American Flags swayed back and forth as the wind rippled across the tips. Names of the fallen to those who served in the Military lined the walls around the 20th Century Veterans’ Memorial in North Platte.

The Heartland Nebraska Quilts of Valor awarded three quilts to three veterans at the 20th Century Veterans Memorial in North Platte on Saturday. The quilts were awarded to Don Connelly, Albert Lansberry Moore and Leon Buttermore.

Connelly of Big Springs was wrapped first in his quilt. He joined and served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1969 during the Vietnam War era.

He finished his basic training in Ft. Lewis, WA, and transferred to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, for advanced training. Later, Connelly joined the 20th Engineer Brigade at the Cu Chi Army Base in Vietnam, where he served in the infantry.

Connelly received an Army Commendation Medal and a Purple Heart.

“I am extremely honored, very honored,” said Connelly. “My entire family showed up, both my sons, one of my grandsons, my brother, you know, to watch me receive this honor. It’s just a very humbling experience.”

Albert Lansberry Moore was the second recipient. After graduating from high school in 1957, Moore joined the United States Navy in Omaha. He later graduated as a Navy Corpsman in San Diego, caring for the recruits, the sick, and the injured soldiers.

Throughout his military career, Moore rotated shifts as a medic between the 2000-bed Balboa Navy Hospital and the Naval Training Station.

Leon Buttermore was the last and oldest veteran awarded. He is originally from a small town in Woodston, KS. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in Wichita, KS, and served from 1946 to 1947.

He later transferred to El Toro, a U.S. Marine base and major West Coast jet fighter facility, where he serviced planes.

“Well, it is a blessing. I have a lot of high marks in my life,” said Buttermore. “But this is going to be one of them. This is a high mark.”

Buttermore’s parents had 15 children, eight boys and seven girls. Six of the boys served in World War ll. He received a WWll Ribbon, a Good Conduct Medal, and the Asiatic—Pacific Campaign Medal.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation has awarded 397,18 quilts since the beginning of the journey in 2003.

The Heartland Nebraska Quilts of Valor group started in 2019 and has awarded 147 quilts as of Saturday.

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