11/11/2025
🎖️ Honoring Service Through Stitching: A Quilt of Valor 🎖️
At Riverview Retirement Community, acts of kindness and creativity are woven into daily life – sometimes quite literally. Resident Jan Krepcik recently completed a heartfelt project that embodies gratitude, craftsmanship, and community spirit: a Quilt of Valor presented to fellow resident Lt. Col. (Retired) Norman Bomkamp, a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Norm served 20 years active duty, including three tours in Vietnam, where he flew the CH-46 Helicopter, providing rescue and supply support for the infantry.
The Quilts of Valor Foundation is a national organization dedicated to comforting service members and veterans touched by war through the gift of a handmade quilt. Each quilt, hand-made by the ladies in the Garland Quilts of Valor Group, represents hours of care and craftsmanship, symbolizing warmth, appreciation, and healing. For Jan, presenting one for a friend and neighbor made the process all the more meaningful.
This isn’t Jan’s first time recognizing veterans in this special way. When asked how many quilts she has given, Jan shared “I’ve presented 40 Quilts of Valor here in the village in the past three years. I joined the group in 2015.” Her ongoing commitment over 10 years reflects her passion and deep respect for those who have served.
When the quilt was presented, Norm thanked Jan wholeheartedly for the gesture. “Thank you very much, it’s really wonderful,” he said, smiling as he examined the fine details. The quilt itself, pictured below, is a stunning tribute to his time in the Marines. It features Marine-themed fabric squares set against a black and gold background, with stars delicately stitched throughout. It is a design that honors both his service and the enduring spirit of the Marine Corps...
Read the rest of the article here: https://riverviewretirement.org/honoring-service-through-stitching-a-quilt-of-valor/
