Bill Manning lives in Maynardville. His brother, Van, lives in Maryville. Van was just honored by the Quilts of Valor at the Seymour Heights Christian Church. The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and Veterans who have been touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. So far in 2024, 35,333 people have received a Quilt of Valor. Over 408,000 total quilts have been awarded since the beginning of the project in 2003.

According to their website, “Quilt of Valor® is a quality, handmade quilt that is machine or hand-quilted. It is awarded to a Service Member or Veteran who has been touched by war. The Quilt says unequivocally, “Thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation.” To use the term Quilt of Valor, the quilt must be a specific size, must have a label with required information, it must be awarded (it is not a gift), and must be recorded." There is no charge to the serviceman.

(Francis) Van Manning did 2 tours in the Navy from October 21, 1968, to October 9, 1972. He received training as a Hospital Corpsman and an Inhalation Therapist and attended firefighting school. Van served as a Hospital Corpsman aboard both the USS White Plains and the USS Kitty Hawk in the Tonkin Gulf during the Vietnam War. He received the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Campaign Service Medal, and 2 Bronze Stars. While all Corpsmen were on deck of the USS White Plains, a cable from a helicopter hauling Agent Orange from the ship to shore broke. The large crate of Agent Orange hit the deck and split open, exposing everyone.

Van Manning was awarded a Quilt of Valor for his service to his country during wartime. Five other retired military were also honored with a quilt. They hailed from the Army, Navy, and Air Force and had various jobs during several wars including the Gulf Wars, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Vietnam. The oldest Veteran was 97 years old. The quilts were exquisite – no two were exactly alike.

The speaker for this ceremony was Judy Fogg, a member of the Smoky Mountain Patriotic Quilters. She described each part of the quilt as having meaning. “The top layer, with its many colors, shapes, and fabrics represents communities as diverse as many individuals are. The batting (the filler) is the center of the quilt – it is its warmth.” Ms. Fogg added that “the quilt represents the hope that it will bring warmth, comfort, peace, and healing to the individual who receives it. The backing is the strength that supports the other layers. It represents the strength of the recipient, the supporter of family, our communities, and our nation. Each stitch that holds the layers together represents the love, gratitude, and sometimes the tears of the maker.” She mentioned that Van Manning had more family with him than anyone else. Family came from Louisianna, Mississippi, Maryville, and Maynardville to support him at the ceremony.

Thank you to all American Servicemen, past and present.