NORTH WEBSTER — North Webster American Legion Post 253 observed Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11, with several events honoring those Americans, past and present, who have served in the armed forces. Among the events was a Quilts of Valor presentation; 10 veterans were presented with handmade quilts in honor of their service. This year also marked the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and Armistice Day, which was re-named Veterans Day soon after the Korean War.

Post 253, which, until recently, was the third largest in Indiana, is affectionately called “the biggest little post in Indiana,” said Jeff Spickelmier, post commander and veteran of the Air Force and National Guard. “It’s important to carry on the tradition of honoring veterans both living and dead. We need to remember the sacrifices those service men and women made.”

The North Webster Legion color guard held ceremonies at Oswego Cemetery, Oak Grove Cemetery, Salem Cemetery, Mock Cemetery, North Webster American Legion Post and North Webster Cemetery between 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Starting at noon the post maintained a long-standing tradition of serving ham, beans and cornbread, which “represents going through the chow line” during the vets’ years in the service, Spickelmier explained.

At 2 p.m., members of the Lakeland Quilt Club, led by Lana Dowell, club president, and Pam Cameron, representing the Quilts of Valor Foundation in South Bend, presented quilts to 10 service men and women: Mark Hazelet, John Pence, Craig Kemper, Bill Curts, John Durham, Steve and Rose Geseman, Tony Strombeck, Dave Heath. Hank Waltz was unable to attend and will be presented with his quilt by Dowell later in the week.

During a sometimes emotional presentation, the quilters draped their creations, which they have been working on throughout the year, around each veteran. Many present were audibly impressed with the size, colors and complexity of the quilts, and exclamations of “gorgeous” were heard throughout the event.

One recipient, World War II veteran Tony Strombeck, a North Webster Legion member for nearly 75 years, commented North Webster was “one of the nicest communities in the country,” and that “I am honored and pleased to live in this community.”

Vietnam War veteran and retired Army Sgt. John Durham also thanked the other branches of the armed forces. “The Air Force and the Navy saved my life …  I love all you guys and women who served our country.”

“I never would have expected something like this,” added Rose Geseman about the quilt presentation. Rose, along with her husband, Steve Geseman, served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. She was a nurse at the Fort Hood medical surgery ward