POST FALLS — Friends Marvin Urwiller and Douglas Champagne were both honored for their service Tuesday at a special Veterans Day presentation of Quilts of Valor to residents at the Idaho State Veterans Home. 

“It’s been an emotional day,” Urwiller said.  

When he received his quilt from Giannine O'Connor and Linda Hill, there were tears in his eyes as he processed the big moment. 

“It’s an honor I’ve seen before, but I never thought it was going to be me,” Champagne said. 

Champagne's smile filled his face as he was wrapped in his quilt. 

Urwiller and Champagne are tablemates at meals and Urwiller has gotten to know Champagne's family.   

Kathy Blattman said that Champagne joined the Navy with his brother and then went off on his own to join the Air Force.  

“When we can’t be with him, it’s nice to know he’s surrounded by so many kind and loving people,” Blattman said.    

Reading the names of the service members being honored, Kayla Main of Quilts of Valor spoke of the service veterans have rendered for their countrymen and how it is now everyone else’s turn to serve them. 

“You will never be forgotten,” Main said.  

As the veterans received their red, white and blue quilts, Main spoke of how each stitch represents love and gratitude and sometimes tears that were shed due to sacrifice. 

Len Crosby spoke about the meaning behind Veterans Day, which started out as Armistice Day during World War I.

“Our nation pauses to reflect and remember and give thanks to our veterans,” Crosby said. 

While everyone’s military service can hold different meaning, for Crosby, his service means loyalty and commitment. 

“Commitment without conditions, stepping forward when others get fearful and step back,” Crosby said. 

Along with honoring the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood from the front lines of combat to those serving in supporting roles to make sure everything keeps running behind the scenes, he reminded the assembly of veterans that they have shaped this country in ways most people will never understand.   

"Honoring veterans means more than saying thank you for your service, it means supporting you, making sure your health care is a priority,” Crosby said.   

Everyone’s job should be to preserve the stories of veterans beyond those told in history books and ensure their sacrifices are remembered. 

“It means ensuring no veteran ever feels invisible or alone,” Crosby said. 

Veterans who received quilts:

LeRoy Bolle, Army 1948-1952.

Douglas Champagne, Navy 1951-1955, Air Force 1958-1974. 

Harry Galland, Army 1964-1966.   

Jimmie Harris, Army 1970-1973. 

Dwayne Leistico, Air Force, 1969-1989. 

Louis Lesnikowski, Army 1969-1971.

Robert Parks, Navy, 1955-1974. 

Larry Thorsness, Army 1960-1962. 

Marvin Urwiller, Navy 1954-1957. 

George Voorhees, Air Force 1953-1957. 

One veteran honored at the ceremony declined to share his name and service information. 

    Marvin Urwiller receives a Quilts of Valor certificate from Giannine O'Connor Tuesday morning at the living at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Post Falls as David Duvall and Linda Hill watch.
  

    Len Crosby addresses an assembly on Veterans Day at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Post Falls before a Quilts of Valor ceremony.