By Marisa Dawson

Three local veterans were recognized for their military service during a Quilt of Valor presentation held Sunday, March 29, at American Legion Post 266 in Bennington.

The ceremony began with special recognition for two Vietnam-era veterans, David Harkin and Frank Mann, who were presented pins and awards honoring their service during the Vietnam War era, a time when many veterans returned home without public acknowledgment.

Following the pinning, handcrafted Quilts of Valor were awarded to Jim Coles, David Harkin and Frank Mann. Each veteran also received a challenge coin presented by Legion member Jim Cheek.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation began in 2003 after founder Catherine Roberts, whose son was deployed in Iraq, envisioned quilts as a way to provide comfort and healing to service members. Since then, the volunteer-led organization has grown nationwide and has awarded hundreds of thousands of quilts to veterans across the country.

Bill Robinson, a Quilt of Valor Foundation representative and pictured below, shared the organization’s origin story and mission during the ceremony.

“Quilts of Valor began in 2003 when Catherine Roberts of Delaware had a son deployed in Iraq,” Robinson said. “One night, Catherine had a dream… this soldier is still there sitting on the edge of the bed, but now he’s got a quilt wrapped around him, and his demeanor is completely different. He seems peaceful, quiet.”

Robinson said the foundation’s mission is “to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor,” adding that each quilt is labeled with the recipient’s name and presented as a lifetime award in recognition of service and sacrifice.

Legion Post 266 Commander Merlin Kay (pictured below) said the presentations are meaningful both for the veterans receiving them and for the Legion members who organize the events. “They’ve never had the recognition given to them yet for so many of them that are out there,” Kay said. “We try to get them recognized like they should have been 50 years ago.”

Kay noted that the post expects to continue hosting Quilt of Valor presentations in the coming years as more veterans come forward. “I believe we’ll probably stay pretty steady for a couple years,” he said. “There’s people hearing that we’re giving them flags, blankets, quilts, and they’re joining to get a quilt. And they are enjoying being our members, not just for the quilt. They come and stay at the meetings and they are participating. So that’s great, too. That’s what it’s partially for, too.”

For Kay, the work is deeply personal. “For me, it’s about the main reason that I’m even here, because I want to help them out,” he said. “They’ve done a lot more than I’ve ever done, and they have not had any recognition compared to what it should have been or should be. So I like returning that favor to the guys. I know what it feels like to be alone… So I wanted to turn it back to them.”

Recipients said the recognition was both meaningful and humbling.

Frank Mann, who is pictured below and served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1971, said the presentation affirmed the value of his service. “It just means that whatever I did while I was in the service was a help to the United States,” Mann said.

Mann said one of the highlights of his time in the Navy was being stationed in Rota, Spain, for nine months, an experience he said “helped me grow as a person.” Having family present for the ceremony also meant a great deal, he added. “To have my family here means a lot. I appreciate them coming. I wasn’t sure what to expect. It’s a great honor to represent my family,” he said.

Jim Coles, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 2006 to 2026 and is preparing to retire later this year, said the ceremony was especially meaningful as he transitions into civilian life. “It’s great. I’m actually retiring in November, and it’s just good to see people celebrating with other people’s service,” Coles said. “I think just mostly what I remember the most is … the camaraderie,” he said about his time serving.

Coles said the event also helped him connect with the local veteran community as he looks for ways to remain active after leaving the military. “It’s great because I was looking for something after retiring that I could do and get involved in the local community and serve,” he said.

Legion member Jim Cheek (pictured above) presented each awardee with a challenge coin as well. American Legion Auxiliary President Annette Kay thanked community members for their continued donations to the veterans home and noted that collections will continue throughout the year.

Commander Kay also introduced post officers during the event and announced upcoming Legion activities, including a pancake feed and auxiliary bake sale scheduled for April 18.

For Post 266 members, the ceremony reflected the organization’s broader mission: ensuring that veterans, especially those who served decades ago, receive the recognition and community support they may have missed when they first returned home.