(Atlantic, Iowa) – An Atlantic woman who is a veteran of the U-S Navy (and former Elk Horn resident), was presented with a Quilt of Valor ® Tuesday evening, at Chestnut Place.

Jan Snyder received a Quilt of Valor, which is a quality, handmade quilt that is machine or hand quilted. It is awarded to a Service Member or Veteran who has been touched by war and is intended as a means of healing. Judi Olson and Pat Engemann, representatives of the Southwest Iowa Quilts of Valor Worker Bees, presented the Quilt of Valor to Janet Snyder, who served in the United States Navy from 1974 to 1984, during the Vietnam Era. (Photos by Asa Lucas/KJAN)

Snyder attained the rank of 3rd Class Petty Officer during her active duty, and accumulated multiple honors such as the Good Conduct Medal and Armed Forces Medal. The Navy gave Snyder various responsibilities during her service years.

Snyder’s time in the navy took her all over the United States from Chicago, to Philadelphia, Virginia, and eventually the Roosevelt Roads Puerto Rico Naval Hospital. What sparked Snyder’s initial interest in the navy was the way the uniform looked.

Snyder noted that the recognition from Quilt of Valor was humbling, and emotional for her.

According to the The Quilt of Valor, the quilt says unequivocally, “Thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation.” To use the term Quilt of Valor, Quilts of Valor or QOV, the quilt must be a specific size, must have a label with required information, it must be awarded (it is not a gift). It must also be recorded.

More information on the organization is available at https://www.qovf.org/