The “Quilts of Valor” presentations at the Long Beach Grange No. 667 highlighted the service of six veterans from the Long Beach Peninsula. Pictured at front, left to right, are Keith Hanson (U.S. Army), Sally Keiss (Navy), Maurice “Mauri” Knapp (Army and Air Force), Charles “Chuck” Pierce (Army), Robert “Rob” Stevens (Army) and Geran “Hi G” Vines (Navy). Behind them are event helpers Donna Strunk, Linda Poland, Sheryl Reynolds, who is the leader of the Long Beach Grange No. 667, and Blaine Gunkel, who served as master of ceremonies.

Six veterans with service in the U.S. Armed Forces have been honored by the Long Beach Grange No. 667.

They were presented with “Quilts of Valor” at a ceremony in December.

Supporters work year-round to design and create colorful quilts, all with red, white and blue designs, and present them to selected veterans of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. It is the second year the Grange has taken on the community project.

“Any veteran or active duty serviceman or woman qualifies for a Quilt of Valor,” said Linda Dunn, one of the organizers. “This is not a special award due to any particular action by the recipient. But it is simply a way of saying ‘thank-you’ for your service and sacrifice. And we hope that these quilts bring them comfort.”

This year’s recipients traveled the world in their respective uniforms.

• Keith Hanson served in the U.S. Army between 1976 and 1982, stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado, Kaiserslautern Army Base in West Germany and Fort Leavenworth in Kansas. He received a good conduct medal and sharpshooter medals in rifle and grenade.

• Sally Keiss served in the U.S. Navy between 1976 and 2007. Her career began in the enlisted ranks and she then received a direct commission in the Navy Reserve as an unrestricted line officer. Assignments were with U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, Fla., U.S. Central Forces Command, U.S. Middle East Naval Command, U.S. Navy Base Bahrain and at Naval Air Station McDill in California. Her final mission was working in cooperation with Middle Eastern allies to promote exchanges of information and technology.

• Maurice “Mauri” Knapp served with two branches, the Army from 1952 to 1956 at the 10th Corps headquarters, 45th infantry, and with the Air Force from 1958 to 1964, serving in Holloman, N.M., Tripoli in north Africa, Albuquerque, N.M., Germany and Plainfield.

• Charles “Chuck” Pierce served with the Army from 1961 to 1967, and was based at Fort Knox, Fort Monmouth, Taegu and Pusan in South Korea plus Vent Hill Farm, Va.

• Robert “Rob” Stevens was also in the Army, seeing service between 1967 and 1969 in Southeast Asia, Fort Lewis, Fort Poke, Vietnam and Fort Lee. He earned the Purple Heart.

•Geran “Hi G” Vines also saw service in Southeast Asia and Vietnam between 1966 and 1973. He was an A6 Intruder pilot and served on the USS Enterprise and at Whidbey Island.

To nominate a veteran for a presentation, email PeninsulaQOV@gmail.com or call 360-642-4953.