VALENTINE, Nebraska – Nearly two dozen veterans were honored this week in Valentine as part of the 4-H Quilts of Valor program, an event that connects the lives of young quilters and distinguished veterans.

“I chose this border because it's a camouflage pattern, and I like camouflage,” said 10-year-old Liam Johnson, showing off his quilt.

Not only did Liam piece the quilt together himself, he also had to stand up in front of a crowd and explain why he was giving his quilt to a beloved veteran.

“My Uncle Tom – he was a tanker,” said Liam.

Liam's great uncle, Tom Hoffmann of Nenzel, Nebraska, joined the ROTC program in 1953.

“When I was about ten years old, I knew I wanted to be an officer and I stuck with it,” said Tom.

Thanks to his determination and hard work, Tom quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a platoon leader in the armored infantry, then first officer, and finally company commander.

“You just have to serve your country,” Tom said.

Tom led an elite team tasked with testing and evaluating the new M60 tank, but during one of the tests, an accident changed his life forever.

“My head was smashed and my neck broken in a Normandy tank. That's why I can't hear very well anymore,” Tom said.

Through this quilting project, Liam has developed a deeper understanding of his great uncle's history and sacrifice, which, according to project leader Rhonda Cherry, is a central aspect of the program.

“The children have to do an interview with the veteran. That's the story they read during the presentation. My granddaughter gave her quilt to her grandfather. That was her first Quilt of Valor. He was in Vietnam and it was tough. The family said they learned more from their interview with Grandpa than he had ever told before,” Cherry said.

Since the program began in Cherry County nine years ago, members of the Region 4-Hers have honored veterans with approximately 130 quilts.

“Every veteran we try to give it to says, 'I don't deserve this,'” Cherry said.

An honor that has humbled Tom and inspired Liam to also dream of serving our country.

“I am very, very proud of him,” said Tom.

American pride is sewn into every seam of this unique project.