Val Heim of Superior, NE repeated the phrase "this is a very special
morning" upon receiving his Quilt of Valor. University of Nebraska
Extension Educators Phyllis Schoenholz and Jaci Milius along with Office
Manager Jean Stichka awarded the quilt to the dignified 93 year World
War II veteran. The request for the quilt came from southwest Kansas to
the National Quilts of Valor Foundation. Also present for the award ceremony were Gene Frerichs, adjutant and Steve Meyer past commander of the Superior American Legion Post 103 where Val is a long time member. Heim was very modest in accepting the quilt and stated "it took all of us, so many others gave up so much more."
The conversation between the American Legion friends highlighted that Val is the oldest living professional baseball player in the U.S.A. Val's career with the Chicago White Sox was cut short when WWII broke out and he joined the Navy. Heim stated that baseball was the national sport at that time and military service teams had many major league players on their teams which provided needed entertainment for troops of all branches of the service.
