Quilts of Valor given to veterans in Post Falls
CAROLYN BOSTICK | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months, 1 week AGO
Daniel Duke looks up at Giannine O’Connor and Kathy Whetstine as he receives his quilt of valor Friday at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Post Falls.
CAROLYN BOSTICK/Press
Leroy Bolle wheeled to the front of the stage Friday at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Post Falls after receiving his quilt of valor from Giannine O’Connor and Kathy Whetstine. Kayla Main looks on after reading Bolle's information from the platform.
LeRoy Bolle, Gary Huber, Michael Wigton, Daniel Duke, Gilbert "Brad" Martin and Dale Wilson received quilts of valor Friday morning at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Post Falls.
Carolyn Bostick has worked for the Coeur d’Alene Press since June 2023. She covers Shoshone County and Coeur d'Alene. Carolyn previously worked in Utica, New York at the Observer-Dispatch for almost seven years before briefly working at The Inquirer and Mirror in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Since she moved to the Pacific Northwest from upstate New York in 2021, she's performed with the Spokane Shakespeare Society for three summers. | July 19, 2025 1:08 AM
POST FALLS — When Army veteran LeRoy Bolle saw his new quilt for the first time, he said two words:
“It’s gorgeous."
The Patriotic Piecers honored five other veterans along with Bolle on Friday with new quilts of valor. Bolle was touched by the gesture.
“The work going into this is unbelievable. It took a lot of time to do this,” he said. “We should put this on the wall so everyone can see it.”
Tears filled Brenda Spangenberg’s eyes as she weighed the emotions she felt watching her father be honored by his community for his service during the Korean War.
“It’s love and pride, a lot of love and a lot of pride,” Spangenberg said of Bolle. “He’s a very special dad.”
Brenda and her husband, Mario Spangenberg, recalled following along after Bolle moved to Kootenai County 25 years ago.
“This place is a godsend,” Mario said.
Bolle had fallen in love with North Idaho during a trip from Colorado.
“It’s a playground,” Bolle said.
Brenda said that Bolle and his great-granddaughter, who share a birthday, received honors on the same day. As Bolle received his quilt, his granddaughter was celebrating graduating preschool.
Giannine O’Connor, Quilts of Valor North Idaho coordinator, said the quilters were happy to show their support for veterans.
“It’s always a joy to come here and present these quilts to these veterans,” O’Connor said.
Veterans who received quilts:
LeRoy Bolle, Army 1948-1952: Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars and other service medals.
Daniel Duke, Army 1969-1970: Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Air Medal, and various campaign and service medals.
Gary Huber, Army, 1968-1970: Campaign and service medals.
Gilbert "Brad" Martin, Air Force 1970-1973: numerous USAF medals.
Michael Wigton, Air Force 1967-1971: Campaign and service medals.
Dale Wilson, Army 1969-1991: Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, campaign and service medals.
Leroy Bolle wheeled to the front of the stage Friday at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Post Falls after receiving his quilt of valor from Giannine O’Connor and Kathy Whetstine. Kayla Main looks on after reading Bolle's information from the platform.
LeRoy Bolle, Gary Huber, Michael Wigton, Daniel Duke, Gilbert "Brad" Martin and Dale Wilson received quilts of valor Friday morning at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Post Falls.ARTICLES BY CAROLYN BOSTICK
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