As QOVF rounds the 300,000th quilt awarded since inception, each group was encouraged to designate an Honorary 300,000th quilt in April. Locally, Korea War Army veteran, PFC Donald F Sjostrom received his QOV on Saturday, April 16, 2022 at the Knight Museum and Sandhills Center. His quilt was pieced and bound by his longtime friend and neighbor, Cindy Zurn and quilted by Jorene Hinton.
Special to this presentation, was a unique certificate from the Quilt of Valor Foundation which recognizes Mr Sjostrom as one of the honorary recepients of the Foundations 300,000 quilt award.
Assisting with the presentation was the America Legion and the ALR Panhandle Chapter 43. Group photos included those with his family and neighbors, and one with Panhandle Block members that were present.
Don enlisted in the U S Army 21 March 1953 and did his Basic Training at Camp Funston, Kan. He then did specialty training at Ft Riley, Kan. for 12 weeks (1953) in Special Radio Operation Code School; then to Ft Sill, Okla. for 17 weeks (1954) training in Artillery Radio Maintenance/Radio Repair.
He received his High School GED 24 Mar 1954 and his College GED 9 Dec 1954.
His Foreign Service was for 1 year, 4 mo, 16 days where he served with the 979 and 70th Field Artillery Battalion in Bleidorn Kasern, Germany as a Code and Radio Operator.
Medals:
OCC Medal – Germany
National Defense Medal
Motor Vehicle Badge w/c bar
He was discharged 26 July 1955 at Ft Dix, NJ with 2 years, 4 mo, 3 days of Net Service.