T.I.P. Rural Electric Cooperative hosted a customer appreciation event to showcase its new building and honor three local veterans for service to the country and to T.I.P. Rural Electric. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

BROOKLYN – T.I.P. Rural Electric Cooperative hosted a customer appreciation event to celebrate the inauguration of its new building, providing the perfect venue to honor three remarkable individuals with Quilts of Valor, while also recognizing another for his military service. The recognition and quilts symbolize gratitude and respect for military service and sacrifices.

The Quilt of Valor Foundation aims to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts, handmade with love by volunteers nationwide. The quilts were crafted and presented by Lisa Tichy, a director at T.I.P. Rural Electric, along with Pat Tichy and Carol Bunting. Special thanks to Leslee Kitzman for completing the final quilting step.

TIP Rural Electric honored:

Jim De Smet: De Smet, an Army veteran who served from 1968 to 1969 in Vietnam, was recognized for his bravery and dedication. De Smet has previously been recognized with a QOV but, TIP REC wanted to honor his service and contributions as a director at T.I.P. Rural Electric.

Gene Von Ahsen: Von Ahsen, who served in the National Guard from 1969 to 1975, received a Quilt of Valor named “CELEBRATIONS.” His contributions as a director and current board president at T.I.P. Rural Electric were also acknowledged.

David ‘Lee’ King: King, an Army Reserve Specialist in 1961, was presented with a Quilt of Valor named “DARING SPIRIT.” His significant impact as a director for 30 years and past board president at T.I.P. Rural Electric was celebrated.

Nate Egerton: Egerton, an Army veteran from 1999 to 2012, received a Quilt of Valor named “LIBERTY.” His outstanding service to the country and as a Journeyman Lineman at T.I.P. Rural Electric was honored.

These quilts are a tangible reminder of the warmth, support and gratitude of the American people. They serve as a heartfelt thanks for the sacrifices made and bravery shown by service members. The event concluded with expressions of appreciation for the veterans and a call to honor and support all service members. The T.I.P. Rural Electric family and attendees expressed gratitude and enjoyed the new facilities.