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WWII VETERAN HONORED WITH QUILT OF VALOR

Wisconsin Dells Events - 2/14/2017

When he flew to Europe to join his tank battalion during the final year of World War II, Private First Class August Stroede sat on a single chair bolted to the floor of the transport plane.

The young soldier, on his way to Germany to join the Allies in their march toward Berlin, probably could have used the loving warmth of a quilt to keep him company on that solitary flight more than 72 years ago. Last Saturday he finally got that quilt.

Stroede, 92, was awarded a Quilt of Valor at Kilbourn Public Library on the occasion of the organization's annual "National Sew Day," the third for Wisconsin Dells and the volunteers and Quilts of Valor (QOV) members in their efforts to recognize and comfort veterans and others affected by war.

Members of Stroede's family looked on as local QOV members Barbara Sigmund and Joann Van Wie draped him in a patriotic-themed quilt as he smiled proudly.

The day-long sewing event was attended by more than 40 quilters and volunteer helpers from across the region.

Five completed quilts were donated and 16 quilt "tops" were sewed upon during the yearly, highly concentrated sewing effort that marks a year-long quilting effort.

"We work on these quilts all year long," Van Wie said following the gathering.

Stroede served in the Army for two years, after which he returned home and met his wife, Lorraine, to whom he has been married for 70 years.

Stroede's timing apparently was fortuitous in those days - in love and in war. He joined his battalion during the war's longest and among its bloodiest battles, the Battle of the Forest of the Hurtgen Forest.

More than 24,000 Americans were killed or injured during the siege, which lasted from that fall through February of 1945 and was the longest single battle ever fought by the U.S Army.

But by the time Stroede arrived, most of the worst fighting already had taken place, and even though he landed in the midst of carnage, he considers himself lucky.

"Had I gotten there earlier, I might not be here," he said.