— Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Billie Shelton
Beth Clark (left) with husband Paul Clark and Kathy Jones, state coordinator for Iowa of the Quilts of Valor Foundation pose with a quilt given to Paul Clark. Jones recently presented a Quilt of Valor to Paul Clark in honor of his service 1967-1970 in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War.

“Though we may never know the depths of your sacrifice, this Quilt of Valor offers healing, peace, comfort and warmth,” said Kathy Jones as she presented the quilt to Paul Clark of Stanhope on Thursday afternoon. “The quilt is given to honor you and thank you for your service.”

Clark, who served during the Viet Nam war, is a veteran of the U.S. Marines from 1967 to 1970. The presentation, at his home, was a surprise.

Jones, state coordinator of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, said that to date some 218 quilts have been awarded to Iowa veterans since the foundation started in 2003. Clark’s Quilt of Valor was made by a Des Moines area quilt guild.