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Wrapped in gratitude: U.S. military veterans honored with ‘Quilts of Valor’ in Gallup

Wrapped in gratitude: U.S. military veterans honored with ‘Quilts of Valor’ in Gallup

GALLUP

Dianna Nez spent years nominating her husband, Raymond C. Nez, a U.S. Army veteran, for a prestigious Quilt of Valor – he never got one. So, this year, she tossed his name in the hat one more time.

Wrapped in gratitude: U.S. military veterans honored with ‘Quilts of Valor’ in Gallup

Navajo Times | Nicholas House
U.S. Marine veteran Raphael Martin smiles as he poses with his Quilt of Valor during the 2025 Quilts of Valor ceremony in Gallup.

Wrapped in gratitude: U.S. military veterans honored with ‘Quilts of Valor’ in Gallup

Navajo Times | Nicholas House
A Vietnam veteran raises his hand in gratitude as volunteers present him with a patriotic Quilt of Valor during the 2025 ceremony in Gallup.

On his birthday, on June 27, Raymond Nez finally received a Quilt of Valor. He was honored and draped in the quilt during a Quilts of Valor ceremony at the Veterans Helping Veterans Center. Sixteen military veterans, including Mr. Nez, received a Quilt of Valor.

Wrapped in gratitude: U.S. military veterans honored with ‘Quilts of Valor’ in Gallup

Navajo Times | Nicholas House
U.S. Marine veteran Gilmore Lee sits in front of his newly awarded Quilt of Valor during the 2025 ceremony in Gallup, surrounded by a handcrafted tribute stitched in red, white, and blue.

“I’ve put my husband’s name in year after year. He’s a Vietnam veteran, infantry, U.S. Army. And he never got one,” Dianna said. “So this time, I told him I was putting his name in again. And he got one. Today is his birthday. So I told him, ‘I’m glad you finally got one.’”

Wrapped in gratitude: U.S. military veterans honored with ‘Quilts of Valor’ in Gallup

Navajo Times | Nicholas House
U.S. Army veteran Clement R. Walker is wrapped in a Quilt of Valor during an emotional moment at the 2025 ceremony in Gallup, where volunteers honored his service and sacrifice.

Nez added, “The majority of the recipients were Native American, Navajo. I hate to say this, but it’s never been like that. And I’m so glad they got them. Every one of them. I called them shí yázhí.”

Among the other recipients were U.S. Army veterans Robert Smith Jr., Leonard Pablo Sr., Thomas Martin, Robert J. Platero, Jackie Chischilly, Benny Yazzie, Tylor Ray Frazier, Rocco James, and Clement R. Walker.

Wrapped in gratitude: U.S. military veterans honored with ‘Quilts of Valor’ in Gallup

Navajo Times | Nicholas House
U.S. Army veteran Rocco James sits proudly with his Quilt of Valor during the 2025 ceremony in Gallup, honored for his service with a handcrafted patriotic tribute.

U.S. Marines veterans Darren R. James, Rippy Williams, Gilmore Lee, Raphael Martin, and Edward Shirley, and U.S. Air Force veteran Jessica McKinney.

Thirteen quilts were presented in person. Three recipients could not attend.

To read the full article, please see the July 3, 2025, edition of the Navajo Times.

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About The Author

Nicholas House

Nicholas House is a reporter for the Navajo Times. He is Naakaii Dine’é and born for Tsénahabiłnii. His maternal grandfather is Haltsooí, and his paternal grandfather is Kiyaa’áanii. He is from Prewitt, N.M.

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