Jim Pentico of Perry was presented with a Quilt of Valor in ceremonies Sunday evening at the Hotel Pattee.
With his family at his side, Cpl. Pentico received the honorary quilt in recognition of his service in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955.
Highlights of Pentico’s working life were also reviewed, from his stint at Look Magazine to work for Asgrow Seed to 32 years with the U.S. Postal Service.
The patriotic ceremony was hosted by Perry Piecemakers Quilt Guild members Pat Mundy, Judy Tomenga and Barb Hansen.
At the climax of the service, the solemn words, “A grateful nation welcomes you home,” were pronounced, and Pentico was wrapped in the Quilt of Valor by his wife, Marilyn Pentico, and five sons, Ronnie, Randy, Ricky, Richard and Rodney.
Mundy gave a brief presentation on the historical significance of quilting, leading up to the time in 2003 when Carolyn Roberts, whose son was deployed in Iraq, had a dream that inspired her to create quilts to spread a message of hope to vets everywhere. The first Quilt of Valor was awarded in 2003, and 325,000 quilts have been awarded to date.
The Perry Piecemakers Quilt Guild seeks additional nominations for the Quilts of Valor, which are available to all veterans who served in the U.S. military in World War II, the Korean Conflict or the Vietnam War. For more information, call Hansen at 515-465-7190 or Tomenga at 515-436-7795.
