Alden Smith was presented the quilt Thursday during a small ceremony at Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation Center. Ruth Shatzel of the Western New York Quilters for a Cause group — within the National Quilts of Valor organization — was the presenter and read a poem.

Barb Cessna, Vets Finding Vets project coordinator with the Fenton History Center, also was in attendance Thursday at the ceremony.

“It’s important for people to know that these red, white and blue quilts are not mass produced and are not given lightly,” Cessna said. “They are an award for service during war as a reminder to the veteran that his or her service is remembered and honored.”

Quilts of Valor are handmade and presented to veterans by the organization to show that the sacrifices and time that they served in war are remembered.

Smith is pictured with his children, John Lundmark, Diane Alexander and Dara

Recipients have to be nominated by family members and then are awarded at a special ceremony. Any living veteran or service member that served in the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard is eligible.

Smith’s military service began in 1943, originally intending to enter the war with his brother. He first worked on B-24 bombers — the main bomber planes used against Germany and Italy during World War II.

He was in Italy in 1944 and was there until Germany surrendered the following year. After that, he returned to the United States with his squadron and began working on B-29 bombers, which were overall bigger and better airplanes than B-24s. The squadron was based mostly in Tucson, Ariz.

For a little while, Smith left the service, but eventually re-enlisted in December 1945. His intent was to go to Germany, but he ended up serving in Alaska.

Smith, now 97 years old, said he was happy to receive a quilt through the program. “I enjoyed it,” Smith said. “Some of the Lutheran staff came out and my children came up for the ceremony. It was quite nice.”

Smith also enjoyed the poem by Shatzel. He called the ceremony “very good” overall.

If interested in nominating a family member for a Quilt of Valor, visit qovf.org or contact Barb Cessna at 716-664-6256.