Govenor Heineman Receives Quilt of Valor Surprise

From Lincoln, Nebraska

QOV and 4-H volunteers presented a Quilt of Valor to outgoing Nebraska governor, Dave Heineman on December 23, 2014.  The First Lady, Sally Ganem, wanted the presentation to be a surprise, and it was! 

Governor Heineman is a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point and served five years in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of Captain.  As Nebraska National Guard operates under the Governor through the State Adjutants General, the Governor also has a close relationship with the Nebraska National Guard.  Our Guard units have deployed countless times during the Governor’s ten-year term in office, and the Governor has been truly touched by war through their service and sacrifice as well as his own personal Army service. 

The Governor’s QOV was made by Vanessa T, a 16-year old 4-H member from rural north-central Nebraska.  Her quilt, Patriotic Pineapples won purple ribbons at both the County and State Fair, and is her 4^th QOV.  Vanessa and her parents traveled nearly 300 miles to Lincoln to present the QOV to the Governor.  Vanessa met the Governor when she was seven years old, having won a state sponsored art award. She shared the picture she had of the two of them.

The Governor was very honored to be awarded a Quilt of Valor, particularly one made by a Nebraska 4-H Member.  After the presentation, the First Lady took the QOV “delegation” on a tour of the Governor’s Mansion.