Jerry Burton gives a presentation on the colors of the American flag and the story behind Taps.

Derrick Greenfield gave the Commander Welcome and a prayer was offered by Wayne Wahlert as more than 80 people attended the Williams Memorial Day program at the Williams Park.

Another 50 people attended ceremonies at the cemeteries.

The Williams Memorial Day program this year also included the presentation of Quilts of Valor to three veteran service members.

Rex Utech, Craig Classen and Tom Schutt were the recipients.

Quilts of Valor is a movement of volunteers from throughout the United States, according to Connie Wahlert, a Quilts of Valor volunteer in Williams.

“In 2003, a quilter named Catherine Roberts started the movement that became Quilts of Valor when her son was deployed in Iraq,” a media release from Wahlert states. “Since that time, over 350,000 Quilts of Valor have been awarded. Our mission is to honor service members and veterans who have been touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.

In Blairsburg and Williams, the effort began with a 4-H project. Now, over the winter months, the group that has become known as Sewn From Our Hearts, makes quilts to present to someone special.

Rex Utech

“Utech enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1965, and attended boot camp in San Diego, California. He did his training in Millington, Tennessee and went to school for aviation. He then went to North Carolina where he worked on helicopters and then volunteered to go to Vietnam. While in Vietnam he worked on jet aircrafts and was a patrol guard. Rex was honorably discharged in 1969 as a E4-Corporal. Rex has been a member of the American Legion Post in Webster City for 50 years, the Legion Riders of Story City, and a member of the Combat Veterans. After returning home Rex did some odd jobs and then worked at Electrolux for 29 years.”

Craig Classen

“Craig was drafted to the U.S. Army in November of 1970 and went to boot camp at Ft. Lewis in Washington. He was in AIT in Ft. Gordon, Georgia. At that time, he had decided he wanted to be regular army so he enlisted in December 1970, and then went to the Oakland Army Base to get shipped out. At the base, he worked in the Communication Center where they sent information out. Usually, you are there about six weeks and he was there for a year. It was like a big safe that didn’t have any windows and was soundproof so they didn’t know anything was going on outside. One day they had a bomb threat, but didn’t bother to let them know, so they had no idea what was going on. Later they were informed of the threat but thankfully they were all okay.

“He received soldier of the month and earned his sergeant stripes in 15 months which is as soon as you can get them. Craig was honorably discharged in 1972 as a 72 Foxtrot Data Communication Terminal Specialist with a rank of E5 Sergeant 1st Class. After he came home, he worked with his dad taking care of pigs an then later got a teaching job in voc ag and then farming. Craig has been a member of the American Legion Post 633 for 25-plus years.”

Tom Schutt

“Tom was drafted in 1966 into the U.S. Army and attended boot camp in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After boot camp he was sent to Vietnam and was in the 523rd Transportation Company on the TET Offensive (which was a campaign of surprise attacks against the military and civilian command and control centers throughout South Vietnam). His job was a parts runner in the motor pool and also shuttled vehicles. After coming home, he worked in the feed mill for Purina which later became Cargill and also farmed on the family farm.

“Tom has been a member of the American Legion Post 633 for 19 years.”

Tom Schutt is pictured with his family.

Craig Classen, left, and Rex Utech are wrapped in their Quilts of Valor.