7 more quilts awarded by Northwoods Quilts of Valor
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
QUILTS OF VALOR — The Northwoods Quilts of Valor awarded seven more quilts at a ceremony at the Viking Bowl in Colfax on July 16. First row from left: Larry Knutson, Shaun Olson, Alan Smith, Janiece Ruhling and Josh Mannel. Back row from left: Tom Allen and Delvin Ruhling. —photo submitted.
By LeAnn R. Ralph
COLFAX — Members of the Northwoods Quilts of Valor have been working steadily, and they awarded another seven quilts during a ceremony at the Viking Bowl in Colfax on July 16.
The most recent Quilts of Valor recipients are Tommy Allen, Larry Knutson, Josh Mannel, Shaun Olson, Delvin Ruhling, Janiece Ruhling and Alan Smith.
Allen
Tommy Allen of Menomonie served in the United States Army from 1980 to 1991 and was discharged as an E-5.
He served during the Gulf War/Desert Shield/Desert Storm (ODS).
In his biography, Allen wrote that he was a Black Hawk helicopter crew chief, mechanic and door gunner.
He drove an M60A1 tank from 1980 to 1983.
Allen was awarded the Air Combat Medal for service in Desert Storm with the 101st Airborne.
He also earned the Air Assault Badge and several other ribbons.
Knutson
Larry Knutson of Colfax served in the United States Air Force from 1970 to 1974 and was discharged as an E4.
He served during the Vietnam War.
In his biography, Knutson wrote that he served in the Philippines in 1973 and 1974 and worked in the hospital as a dietitian assistant.
“We were the largest hospital in Southeast Asia. The majority of wounded from Nam came through there to be evaluated before going to the states,” Knutson said.
“The last six months of service, I spent at the Calumet Air Force Base in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I was in charge of making all the special food needed by the wounded,” he said, adding, “there had to be a hundred come through almost weekly.”
Mannel
Joshua Mannel served in the United States Army from 2002 to 2024 and was discharged as an E-9.
He served during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
According to his biography, from February 2002 to December of 2008, Mannel was active duty with the 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, as a paratrooper.
He deployed four times in support of Iraqi Freedom.
From December of 2008 to August of 2020, Mannel served as recruiter and First Sergeant for the Wisconsin Army national Guard.
From August of 2020 to January of 2024, Mannel served as Command Sergeant Major for the South Dakota Army National Guard.
During his service, Mannel received one Bronze Star Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, six Army Commendation Medals and six Army Achievement Medals.
He also is Airborne qualified, Air Assault qualified and Drill Sergeant qualified.
Olson
Shaun Olson of Colfax served in the United States Army from February of 1997 to February of 2023.
In his biography, Olson wrote that he served in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as a wheeled vehicle repairer.
He also served at Camp Gary Owen in Korea as wheeled vehicle repairer.
In Fort Stewart, Georgia, Olson served as a maintenance team supervisor.
In Eau Claire, Olson served as motor sergeant in the 132nd Brigade Support Battalion.
He also served in Mauston as a motor sergeant in the 132nd Brigade Support Battalion.
Olson served in Recruiting Command as a recruiter in Wisconsin Rapids.
He served as a Senior and Master Recruiter in Menomonie.
Olson then served as a Military Science instructor at UW-River Falls.
At the end of his career in the United States Army, Olson served as a Recruit Sustainment Program NCO in Eau Claire as well as a supply sergeant and Mobile Event Team Non-commissioned Officer in Charge.
Ruhling
Delvin Ruhling of Colfax is currently active duty in the Wisconsin Army National Guard with a rank of E-8 Master Sergeant.
He served active duty in the United States Army from 2003 to 2005, and he started serving in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in 2006.
In his biography, Ruhling wrote that he enlisted in 2003 into the United States Army as a field artilleryman.
He spent from 2003 to 2005 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Ruhling transitioned to the Wisconsin Army National Guard and became a field artillery instructor at Fort McCoy from 2006 to 2012.
He served as a recruiter for the Wisconsin Army National Guard from 2012 to 2024.
Ruhling currently is serving as a Section Chief overseeing a team of recruiters in the Milwaukee area.
Ruhling
Janiece Ruhling of Colfax served in the United States Air Force/Air National Guard from 2006 to the present and has a rank of E-9.
She served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and other wars or conflicts.
In her biography, Ruhling wrote that she enlisted in 2006 as a surveillance technician in the operations section with the 128th Air Control Squadron.
She has deployed twice in Operation Enduring Freedom and APAG — area defense of the Arabian Gulf.
Ruhling currently is serving as the Operations Service Enlisted Leader (E-9).
She recently was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal for instilling wellness and mental health connection for the section.
Smith
Alan Smith of Beldenville served in the United States Air Force from March of 1971 to March of 1975 and was discharged as an E-4.
He served during the Vietnam War.
Smith wrote in his biography that he was responsible for the security of nuclear loaded B52s and Minute Man nuclear missiles.
He served in Korea and Taiwan, at the Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana, and at the Griffin Air Force Base in Rome, New York.
Smith was awarded the Citation for Outstanding Performance at Malmstrom Air Force Base and expert marksmanship with an M16 rifle and 38 revolver.
After the Air Force, he spent two years in the Menomonie Army National Guard and retired as a Sergeant E-4.
Quilts of Valor
Northwoods Quilts of Valor began stitching quilts in 2022.
Quilts of Valor was started in 2003 by Katherine Roberts, whose son was deployed in Iraq, and the quilts are a civilian award for the service of veterans.
A Quilt of Valor can never be bought or sold, and it is not a gift. The quilt consists of three layers. The top of the quilt, with many shapes and colors, represents the various communities and individuals. Each stitch represents the love, gratitude and sometimes the tears of the maker.
The batting is for warmth and represents the hope for warmth, comfort and healing to the individual who receives it.
The backing and the stitching are the strength that holds the many pieces together and represents the strength of the recipient and his or her family, community and the nation.
