ATHENS, Pa. — Students at Harlan Rowe Middle School in Athens gathered Thursday to present retired Master Sgt. Carl Maynard with a Quilt of Valor.
"I can't explain it. It is beautiful," Maynard said. "Nothing has ever happened to me this nice in my career."
The award honors service members who made sacrifices for our country.
"We have over 10,000 members and over 600 chapters across the country, and in the 20 years since we started, we have awarded over 360,000 quilts in the United States, Germany, Iraq, and Afghanistan," said Carol Ullo with Bradford and Surrounding Counties Quilts of Valor chapter.
Maynard is a 1955 Athens High School graduate who went on to serve 29 years in the United States Army. He also fought in the Vietnam War.
"I served all over the world and enjoyed every minute of my military career."
A teacher and students from the middle school helped make the blocks for Maynard's quilt.
"We gave them kits, showed them the little tricks of how to do it, and her students put those blocks together, and that beautiful quilt you saw was made by the Family Consumer Science class," Ullo said.
Maynard told Newswatch 16 that this is a day he will never forget.
"Can't explain it. It's so beautiful. The quilt is so beautiful. I will save that forever."
If you know a veteran in your area who is deserving of the Quilt of Valor, You can contact the organization HERE.