Red Oak veteran receives Quilt of Valor

Red Oak’s David Berggren is the latest recipient of a Quilt of Valor. The program was started in 2003 by Catharine Roberts and has spread across the country. A total of 410,759 quilts have been given nationwide, with 9,398 of those quilts given in Iowa to date. As of April, 2,214 quilts were donated in Iowa, and locally, 131 quilts have been donated to vets since 2018. Berggren is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, achieving the rank of SHSN (E-3.) Berggren served in the Vietnam era, from November 1960 to December 1962. His last duty assignment was on the USS Somers (DD-947) and his last station was at the U.S. Naval Station in San Diego, Calif. The quilt was machine pieced by Denise Bryant of Shenandoah and machine quilted by Carol York of Essex. The quilt was given to Berggren to honor him for his service and willingness to lay down his life for his country, his sacrifice and valor in serving his nation, and with the hope that the quilt will provide him healing, peace, and comfort. Berggren, pictured center, was joined by his family, from left: daughter Kelly Ward, son Mark Berggren, daughter ReNea Berggren, and wife Connie Berggren.