NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska (KNOP) – The local organization Heartland Nebraska Quilts of Valor honored three veterans on Saturday. The three men honored are a father, a son and a best friend.
Greg Post and Steve Effenbeck have been friends since childhood. The two attended kindergarten and high school together and have remained friends as adults. Post said that Effenbeck’s parents were like his when he was growing up, and vice versa.
Post was the first to receive his Quilt of Valor. He served in the U.S. Army for 20 years. His journey began with a deployment to Panama, then later to Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
“A lot of veterans sometimes shy away from recognition, and in some ways I feel the same way,” Post said. “But I really appreciate that you feel appreciated. It’s nice that people are thinking of you and that you have a community and a support group that understands veterans and maybe what they’re going through. So it’s a great honor to receive this quilt.”
Steve received his Quilt of Valor alongside his father, Marion Effenbeck. Steve served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years. He was first deployed to the United Arab Emirates, spent time in Washington at McChord Air Force Base, and served his final 15 years in Alaska.
“It’s a huge honor. I didn’t realize how big this organization is and it’s very nice to be recognized by them,” Steve said. “It’s a huge honor. It really means something to me and I really appreciate it.”
Marion served in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1959. He completed basic training in San Diego, California, and advanced training at the Navy’s submarine base in New London, Connecticut. He served in the Department of the Interior’s Intelligence Division. Marion was scheduled for deployment in 1957, but an accident changed his life and led to his discharge in 1959.
“Well, I want to thank the Quilts of Valor organization again for these presentations,” Marion said. “As I said, I learned so much more about them today. And I’m really grateful to them.”
The Nebraska Heartland Quilts of Valor Foundation awarded its first quilt in 2019. That number has grown, and with Saturday’s three quilts, the group has now awarded 143 quilts.
The three gentlemen have big plans for their quilts, which will now be a part of their homes and will remind them of their gratitude for their service to our country.
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