The Memory Makers Quilt Club held its 11th annual Honor Quilts Ceremony on Nov. 29 at Veterans Wall, presenting handmade quilts to Perry County service members in recognition of their dedication, sacrifice, and service to the nation.
Representatives of the Army, Marine Corps and Navy were honored during the ceremony, which marked more than a decade of the club’s mission to express gratitude through handcrafted quilts. Each year, local quilters create the quilts and present them to service members as a lasting symbol of appreciation.
In opening remarks, Kris Niccum, president of the Memory Makers Quilt Club, welcomed guests and reflected on the significance of the setting and the tradition behind the ceremony. She noted that while the club has held the event in several locations over the years — including an outdoor ceremony on the courthouse square last year — the club feels the ceremony has now “found its home,” expressing gratitude for the opportunity to hold the event at Veterans Wall.
Niccum also shared the long-standing connection between quilting and military service, explaining that quilts have been given to soldiers as far back as the Revolutionary War. Early quilts were often made to provide warmth and comfort and to remind service members of the families waiting for them at home.
Throughout American history, quilts have continued to serve both practical and symbolic purposes during times of war. During the Civil War, quilts were not only given to soldiers to boost morale but were also auctioned to raise funds for medical care and essential supplies. The United States Sanitary Commission organized the first large-scale quilt-making efforts, a tradition that continues in various forms today.
During World War I, quilts were often made from old uniforms and repurposed clothing, making them an early example of recycling. Citizens were encouraged by the Red Cross to create quilts for soldiers and refugees, and quilting circles became a way for communities to come together in support of the war effort.
Fabric shortages during World War II led to increased use of repurposed materials such as feed and flour sacks, a practice that remains popular among quilters today. That era also saw the rise of signature quilts, where individuals donated money in exchange for having their names stitched into a quilt that was later auctioned to raise funds.
During the Vietnam War, quilts took on a different role, becoming a form of protest and expression, often carrying messages of peace.
Niccum said that while many national organizations now award quilts to service members and veterans, the Memory Makers Quilt Club has made its own impact locally. Since 2015, the Perry County-based group has presented 45 quilts to service members and veterans.
She outlined three key reasons the club presents honor quilts: honor, gratitude and hope.
“We want to honor the recipient for their service,” Niccum said, noting that civilians can only imagine the sacrifice involved in leaving family and friends to protect the country. She also emphasized gratitude, acknowledging that freedom comes at a cost not only to service members but to their families as well. Finally, she spoke of hope — that each quilt brings comfort, healing and peace and serves as a reminder that recipients are held in the thoughts, hearts and prayers of the community.
The ceremony recognized honorees in alphabetical order. Gabriel Lee Anders, a Navy petty officer second class, was honored first. Anders is currently assigned to the USS Pennsylvania at Bangor Base in Washington state and is in his third year of an eight-year service commitment. He is a 2022 graduate of St. Vincent de Paul High School and completed the Naval Nuclear Engineering Program in 2024 after attending training in Goose Creek, S.C. His grandparents, Steve and Judy Huber, accepted the quilt on his behalf. Anders was nominated by family friend Theresa Lipe. His family has a strong military background, including service in World War II, the Army National Guard, the Navy and the Army.
The next honoree was Ethan Huber, a private E-3 in the U.S. Army. Huber is stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, but is currently deployed to Poland until April 2026, where he serves in military law enforcement. He was sworn in in September 2024. His parents, James and Angie Huber, and his brother Will, accepted the quilt on his behalf. Huber was nominated by his mother, Angie Huber, who shared that he has wanted to serve in the military since he was 3 years old.
Gavin R. Hemmann, a private E-1 in the U.S. Marine Corps, was also honored. Hemmann completed boot camp in San Diego, California, and is now stationed in Texas at Goodfellow Air Force Base, where he is training in crash fire rescue. His mother, Melissa Hemmann, accepted the quilt on his behalf. She shared that Gavin has wanted to be a Marine like his father and a firefighter since he was 3 years old. He was nominated by his mother.
The final honoree was Will Pfaff, a sergeant E-5 in the U.S. Marine Corps, is stationed in Quantico, Va., and serves in the Marine Corps Band. He previously attended Southeast Missouri State University for one year before deciding to make the military his career. Since the nomination was submitted, Pfaff has transferred to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina. His main instruments are bass guitar and percussion, and he also sings. Pfaff’s parents, Kenny and Angie Pfaff, accepted the quilt on his behalf. He was nominated by his grandmother- in-law, Linda Panier.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Niccum thanked the honorees and their families on behalf of the Memory Makers Quilt Club, expressing appreciation for allowing the club to recognize their service.
