A gift from hometown America

Published July 26, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Most service members are familiar with the feeling of receiving military awards. Decorations are symbols of their country's appreciation for exceptional achievements in the line of duty. Col. David Hafer, the commander of the 436th Operations Group, is no stranger to receiving military decorations; yet his most recent token of gratitude was not a medal, ribbon or plaque, it was a quilt.

Hafer received a Quilt of Valor, a home-spun symbol of public support, from Col. Thomas Joyce, the commander of the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center, July 18, 2011, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Hafer received the quilt in honor his of services to Dover AFB, particularly to the AFMAO mission, during which he regularly serves as the Dignified Transfer's host.

"[The quilt] is a touchstone for me to go back down the road and contemplate my insignificant role in bringing these Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors home," said Hafer. "It's a symbol that hometown America is pulling for its military."

The Quilt of Valor Foundation was founded in 2003 by Catherine Roberts, a resident of Seaford, Del., after her son deployed to Iraq. The foundation incorporates volunteers from across the nation in its mission to comfort service members returning from contingency operations overseas.

Hafer is one of more than 15,000 troops who have been presented with quilts so far, a fact he says helps bond him to fellow service members.

"Dignified transfers, like the crafting of the quilts, are labors of love," said Hafer. "The quilt itself is the bridge between these two labors; done in different contexts, but of equal significance."

Joyce, like Hafer, also recognized the significance in these labors. He personally presented Hafer with the quilt in recognition of more than three years of Hafer's involvement in the AFMAO mission.

"On behalf of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, it is my honor to present these wonderful quilts, made by supportive, loving Americans, to those who've made significant contributions to our special mission at Dover AFB: providing dignity, honor and respect to fallen heroes," said Joyce. "[Hafer] is passionate about those who serve, and cares deeply for all who take part in the mortuary mission and the dignified transfers; he reminds us all to live the life our fallen heroes would want us to lead."

Hafer moved from Dover AFB on July 23 to lead a new team of service members. However, he has left his mark here, overseeing the all-too-common ceremony that brings fallen service members to their final resting place.

"Never once did I sleepwalk through a dignified transfer; I always thought about that person's high school memories, how full of life they must have been," said Hafer. "The quilt will always remind me of lives that were full, and will make me wonder whether my service to my country has made me worthy to stand by their side when we finally bring them home."