Hillsborough Township has honored a military veteran for his service to the United States.
A ceremony was held on July 26 to acknowledge World War II veteran Thomas Deddy by the Quilt of Valor Foundation at Bridgeway Care Center, Hillsborough.
Mayor Frank DelCore shared the moment with Deddy as he was presented with his “Quilt of Valor.”
The honorary quilt is bestowed to veterans of war as a symbol of healing and as an appreciation for their service, according to the Quilt of Valor website.
According to the foundation’s website, the organization was founded in 2003 by Catherine Roberts, whose son was deployed in Iraq. Roberts states she had a dream about a war veteran in visibly poor condition, but the veteran’s demeanor changed as soon as he was wrapped in a quilt. From there, the idea for her foundation was born.
In a statement, Roberts said her aim was to have a team of volunteers who would donate their time and materials to make a quilt where one person would piece the top and the other would quilt it.
Since then, Roberts said, the foundation’s mission has been to cover all combat service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts of valor.
DelCore was on hand to provide Deddy with a quilt to honor his service and said the recognition was significant to him.
“Mr. Deddy is part of the Greatest Generation and it was an honor to personally thank him for his service,” DelCore said. “It was particularly meaningful to attend this ceremony as it also happened to be Mr. Deddy’s birthday.”
For more information about the Quilt of Valor Foundation, visit www.qovf.org