Following an opening prayer from Minot Air Force Base Chaplain Capt. Joshua McCormick, the program’s address was delivered by Command Chief Master Sgt. Becky Thomas, the command chief of the 91st Missile Wing at Minot AFB.

Thomas said she was humbled and honored to be addressing the assembly and invited all those who served to stand and be acknowledged.

“The whole nation is going to halt today. They’re going to remember the people that served. They’re going to remember the people that died. They’re going to remember the unknown. We’re going to say thank you to the ones who came home and still struggle. It’s not easy to be the one that came back,” Thomas said. “Over 26 million patriots have served and given their lives for this country. For our kids, our grandkids, for my kids sitting right there, at the end of the day, the freedoms that we have and the countries we served in, it’s always good coming home.”

The program was highlighted by the quilts presentation.

Lynn Heald shared the origin of the Quilts of Valor foundation, an organization founded in 2003 by Catherine Roberts, the mother of an Iraq War veteran, who described their quilts as a civilian equivalent of a Purple Heart. Since 2003, more than 400,903 Quilts of Valor have been awarded in the United States, Germany, Iraq and Afghanistan.

“We, as a foundation, will go wherever those who have been touched by war go or are. We don’t need high profile venues to find them. They are in plain sight,” Heald said. “We believe that as we sew, love, caring and gratitude flow from our hearts, through our hands, into the quilts we make. All of us, as quilters, want you to know that through our quilts, you are forever in our hearts.”

The recipients included Francis Bartsch, Iver Eliason, Konley Wolla, Wayne Tuttle, Robert Kosel, Rudyard Magcalas, and LeRoy Schoffstall. The eighth and final recipient was Thomas. Thomas was nominated by Heald, who also contributed to the creation of her quilt.

The quilts were made in collaboration by Chris Senn, Lynn Heald, Pam Kolschefski, Luanne Duchsherer, CeeCee Thompson, Judi Green, Jacqueline Slagle, Geri Burns, Mollie Jorgerson, Mary Lou Hauf, Monica Grossman, Peggy Cahoon and Lexi Huff.

“Today and every day, the prayers of the American people are with those who wear our country’s uniform. They serve a great cause, and they follow a great tradition, handed down to them by America’s veterans. Our veterans from every era are the finest of citizens. We owe them the life we know today. They command the respect of the American people, and they have our lasting gratitude,” Heald said.