Ethan Opfer knew about the surprise in store for his grandfather , Lawrence Opfer, a World War II veteran, but he did n’t know there would be a second surprise. In recognition of his company, he had planned to give his unguarded grandpa a vintage Quilt of Valor. Ethan did n’t anticipate receiving any of his own quilts.
Ethan said,” I was informed that my father had one and that I should help with it and all, and therefore I sort of looked over and saw them pulling another bedspread out of the bag.” ” But then I was like,’ What’s going on?’ Therefore, mom and dad left. By no means did I anticipate that one.
Draped in fabric of dark, white and blue, their multi-generational assistance was celebrated with a standing ovation during a , Veterans Day , service at , Colfax-Mingo High School. When his nephew saw his nephew wearing the same colors, Lawrence grinned a little more than he did when he received his pillow.
” Boy I tell you that was great to get that”, Lawrence said.
Lawrence served the , U. S. Navy Air Corps/U. S. Navy , from , June 15, 1944 , until , June 9, 1946. He went to flight training class at , Doane College , in , Crete, Neb.  , and , St. Mary’s College , in , San Francisco, Calif.  , As the battle was coming to an end, Lawrence decided he would move to the , Navy.
He was immediately hired as the ship engine mechanic on a ship for landing craft infantry (LC I) transport. Lawrence’s fleet was headed through the , Panama Canal , when the war ended, so he was directed to a slot in , Charleston, S. C., to dismantle the ship. From that, he went back home.
Legal service runs in the family. In addition to Ethan’s services in the , National Guard, all four of Lawrence’s boys served in the military.  , Larry Opfer, Lawrence’s brother, said all five boys were enlisted in World War II and returned home safely to their girl and widowed mother.
By the time Ethan left the , Iowa Air National Guard, he had advanced to the rank of staff sergeant and worked his way up the rates in the brains products. He served from 2017 until 2023. He will appreciate the honor of receiving a Quilt of Valor at his alma school alongside his grandfather.
According to Ethan,” that is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for some, some people who share military service with their families.” This is the first day I can recall it being more than one generation present at the same soldiers ‘ assembly, according to the veteran leader. That’s going to stay with me for a long time”.
Surrounded by other soldiers of all ages and his 98-year-old father, Ethan hopes the message of support speaks with residents on , Veterans Day.
” I want people to take the time to realize that every person affected by the divisions in our nation right now depends on us. It’s something that everybody is accomplish”, he said. ” It does n’t matter if it’s military, police or teaching the youth of our nation. Everyone has the ability to fall back on and unite behind it.
Ann Leonard , made the Quilts of Valor, and it had always been her wish to provide a pair of them to household members. When she learned that Leonard’s father had served in World War II, Larry, Leonard’s businessman, inquired if he had ever been awarded a Quilt of Valor. He had no. She said she felt compelled to create the pillow.
In the course of their talk, Larry mentioned his brother also served.
” I’ve often wanted to have a father and child get recognized”, Leonard said. ” I’ve definitely made 10 to 15 pillows. I’ve seen older people receive and appreciate their quilts, and I believe that younger generations may benefit from that experience. It was a dream of mine. It came real today”.
___
( c ) 2024 the Newton Daily News
Distributed by , Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
