contributed
Stephanie and Kris Larson were deployed to Iraq in 2006.
Grant veteran couple receives Quilts of Valor
By Brooke Pankonin
Grant Tribune-Sentintel
Perkins County Veterans Service Officer Stephanie Larson, who is continuously giving of herself to help the veterans of Perkins County, found herself on the other end of the spectrum when she and husband Kris Larson received Quilts of Valor at Madrid’s Memorial Day ceremony on May 29.
Julie Sestak had approached Stephanie wanting some information on the Quilt of Valor, telling Stephanie they were presenting one to Sestak’s dad, Butch Burge of Madrid. His granddaughter Delaney Burge made his quilt for her 4-H project, and it was presented to him on May 21.
Stephanie, who was the guest speaker at Madrid’s Memorial Day ceremony, was so excited when Sestak began speaking about the Quilt of Valor at the event, thinking she would be there to see Burge receive his quilt.
Little did she know she and her husband were the honored recipients.
“I’m very rarely surprised, and that was probably the first time, in probably ever, that I’ve been that shocked,” said Stephanie.
“It was an amazing experience, and ‘thank you’ doesn’t even begin to cover to the gratitude that we feel.”
Stephanie said she will absolutely never forget standing there, being surrounded by all those flags and people, having the opportunity to speak, and then being wrapped in that quilt with her daughter standing in front of her and her son with her husband.