Quilt of Valor presented to Kenneth Holler in heartfelt ceremony

DEDICATED SERVICE — Ken Holler’s dedicated service was recognized with a Quilt of Valor, which was presented to him on March 2. Pictured from left to right are: Kurtis Stone, Kenneth Holler, Linda Holler, and Courtney Janzig. —photo submitted

BLOOMER — In a touching ceremony held at Bloomer Baptist Church, Kenneth Holler was honored with a Quilt of Valor in recognition of his dedicated service to the United States. The March 2nd event brought together friends, family, and members of the community to express their appreciation for Holler’s commitment and sacrifices.

Kathy Krug, a dedicated volunteer from Cameron, led the presentation, which included an emotional tribute to Holler’s military career. As the audience gathered, Krug welcomed Holler and his family to the front, alongside Joan Sommerfield, who nominated Holler and created the quilt. 

Kenneth Holler served in the United States Navy from May, 1960-1964. He was honorably discharged with the rank of E5, 2nd Class Petty Officer, Holler shared a brief reflection on his service, which began with a year of schooling before being stationed on a super aircraft carrier, the USS Ranger, Alameda, CA. He completed two cruises to the Far East during the Vietnam War, participating in night flights to take aerial photographs. His final year of service was spent at a nuclear facility in Las Vegas. Holler’s family was also present to show their support. “I have a large family,” he said, proudly recounting how his children and grandchildren also serve in various branches of the military.

The photo captures Kenneth Holler surrounded by pictures his family, a testament to their strong tradition of military service. (Listed from top right to left) His grandson, Kurtis Stone, a retired Army Staff Sergeant, served from 2003 to 2017, including a deployment to Iraq. His granddaughter, Courtney Janzig, has been serving in the Air Force in Duluth, Minnesota, since 2008 and currently holds the rank of E7. Another granddaughter, Morgan Stone, served in the Coast Guard as an MK3 from April 2017 to 2021. Holler also shared pride in his youngest daughter, Angela Clements, whose three children have carried on the family’s legacy in the Navy. Nikolaus Clements, an E4, served at Port Hueneme, California, from 2013 to 2018. Katelyn Clements, an E6, has been stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, since June 2017. Kaleb Clements, a ranked E3 Seaman, began his service in August 2023. —photo submitted

Joan, the quilt’s creator, shared her personal connection to the project. “My father served in World War II, and I had seen a notice in the paper showing two veterans getting the Quilts of Valor,” she explained. “I thought I could make a quilt for someone, and after my husband mentioned Ken’s service, it seemed like the perfect fit.” Joan explained that the quilt took her four and a half months to complete, working two to three hours a day.

The Quilt of Valor program, which has grown from a grassroots initiative into a nationwide movement, seeks to honor veterans by presenting them with handcrafted quilts as symbols of gratitude and recognition. “Each quilt is a work of art, created with love, to acknowledge the sacrifices of those who have served our country,” said Krug.

A Quilt of Valor must meet specific guidelines, including size requirements and a label with important service details. Each quilt is unique, crafted with care, and personally awarded to the veteran. The quilts serve as a lasting reminder of the veteran’s service and the nation’s appreciation.

The Quilt of Valor was presented to Holler with a heartfelt message, “We are privileged to honor you today,” Krug said. “Though we may never fully understand the extent of your sacrifices, we are deeply grateful for your service to our country.” Holler received the quilt, a certificate signed by Tammy McDaniel, Executive Director of the Quilt of Valor Foundation, and Karen Demery, Wisconsin State Coordinator.

Anyone can nominate a service member or living veteran for the Quilt of Valor. Those local veterans that have not yet received a quilt of appreciation for active duty in the armed forces may be nominated on the Quilts of Valor website: https://www.qovf.org/.