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The Marshall chapter of Quilts of Valor, Pieces for Heroes, presented quilts to six local veterans Saturday, July 12 at the Pipestone American Legion. Top: (l-to-r) with their quilts are Gary Darland, Scot Carstensen, Robert Wallace, Darrell Severeid, Maurice Bickford and Merlin Menning. Contributed photo
Almost 100 people attended the presentation of Quilts of Valor to six area veterans Saturday, July 12 at the Pipestone American Legion. The quilts were presented by the Quilts for Valor’s Marshall chapter, Pieces for Heroes.
Quilts of Valor’s mission is “To cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.” More information about the organization can be found at www.qovf.org. To nominate someone for a quilt, go to www.qovf.org/nominations-awards.
Below is information about each of the six veterans who received quilts on July 12.
Merlin Menning
Army — Private 1st Class. Merlin entered the military in 1962. He completed his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. where he found the food to be lacking. Following basic training he was stationed at Ft. Carson, Colo. where he was trained in artillery and then assigned to the 5th Infantry Division where his primary responsibility was to man an 8-inch Howitzer. Menning was on active duty when Kennedy was shot and his unit spent the next 30 days marching and completing a special ceremonial salute each day at 10 a.m. Menning was discharged in 1964. He participated in the Midwest Honor Flight on May 31, 2023.
Maurice Bickford
Navy — Petty Officer 2nd Class, and Army — Sergeant 1st Class. Bickford entered the Navy in 1949 at the age of 17 and served until 1951. He took his training at Great Lakes, Ill. and was then stationed in Guam for two years. Bickford worked in the motor pool, ensuring there were vehicles available to pick up ammunition. After being discharged from the Navy as a Petty Officer 2nd Class, Bickford joined the Army National Guard and was stationed here in Pipestone. While in the National Guard, Bickford earned the rank of Sgt. 1st Class and Platoon Sergeant, overseeing 12 soldiers in the rifle platoon. Bickford was awarded the National Defense Service Medal while in the Navy. In the Army he received the following: National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with two – indicating Senior Leader status, Armed Forces Reserve Medal – National Guard Version, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, MN National Guard Service Medal with XV (15 yrs), MN Good Conduct Ribbon with three Stars, MN State Active Duty Ribbon with one Oak Leaf and the Army Commendation Medal.
Darrell Severeid
Army — Corporal. Severeid served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1972. He served one year in Vietnam in the 25th Infantry Division during which he was hit by shrapnel during a firefight. He carries shrapnel in his body to this day. Severeid received the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Overseas Bars and the Vietnam Combat Metal.
Robert Wallace
Marine Corps — Corporal. Wallace served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1968 to 1972. Wallace was stationed in Da Nang, Vietnam, at the Liberty Bridge. He was part of the artillery which supported the infantry and worked mostly with small weapons. Wallace received the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, RVN Cross of Gallantry with palm (a military decoration awarded by the former Republic of Vietnam to individuals and units for acts of valor or heroic conduct in combat against enemy forces), Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Scot Carstensen
Army — Staff Sergeant. Carstensen served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1978 to 2006. Carstensen was called to active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and served in Iraq from January to December 2005. He received the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2), Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (7), National Defense Service Medal (2), Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Devise, NCO Professional Development Ribbon/Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (2). Carstensen also contributed to post-Vietnam era veterans’ educational assistance program.
Gary Darland
Navy — Petty Officer 2nd Class. Darland served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1971. Gary served two tours on the USS Oriskany (CV-34), a flight carrier in the South China Sea. He was a trouble shooter for support equipment, responsible for maintaining the emergency equipment for landing planes. He had a 97 percent rating for equipment maintenance. Darland was exposed to Agent Orange from the aircraft that landed on the carrier and deals with health issues from that exposure. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Forces Expeditionary Medal (expeditionary medals are awarded by the navy to personnel who have participated in operations against armed opposition or have served in situations warranting special recognition) Korean Service Medal, and the Gallantry Cross.