Navy Veteran Forrest Frazee was recently awarded a Quilt of Valor by the Colorado Prairie Quilters. The mission of the Quilt of Valor Foundation is to cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. To date, the volunteers of this nationwide organization have comforted 296,668 men and women who have left all that they held dear to defend and protect our Country. 

This is exactly what Frazee, a Kiowa County native, did in 1966 when he enlisted in the United States Navy. During the height of the Vietnam War, it was an uncertain time for our nation. Frazee heeded the call to duty and served our country for 22 years, 17 of those years were active sea duty. He served upon many vessels including the USS North Hampton, known as the floating White House, where he got to meet Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon and their families. Having a high security clearance, he was instrumental in counter measures and drug interdiction.

At the time of his retirement in 1992, he held the highest permanent rank of Chief Petty Officer (E7). During his time in the Navy, Frazee served under six Presidents, became a Shell Back (crossed the equator), and a Blue Nose (crossed the Arctic Circle). 

He endured nine hurricanes at sea. 

Along with the Quilt of Valor, Frazee also received a certificate that states, “The Quilts of Valor Foundation wishes to recognize you for your service to our nation. We consider it our privilege to do so. Though we may never know the extent of your sacrifice to protect and defend the United States of America, we award you the Quilt of Valor as an expression of gratitude from a grateful nation.”