WWII veteran and his Iowa Air National Guard grandson surprised with Quilts of Valor

Ethan Opfer knew about the surprise in store for his grandfather Lawrence Opfer, a World War II veteran, but he didn’t know there would be a second surprise. He had planned to present a handmade Quilt of Valor to his unsuspecting grandpa to acknowledge his service. Ethan did not expect to receive a quilt of his own.

“I knew about my grandpa getting one and was told about helping present it and everything, and then I kind of looked over and saw them pulling another quilt out of the bag,” Ethan said. “So then I was like, ‘What’s going on?’ Then mom and dad walked on out. I was not expecting that one by any means.”

Draped in fabrics of red, white and blue, their multi-generational service was celebrated with a standing ovation during a Veterans Day ceremony at Colfax-Mingo High School. Lawrence smiled graciously when he was given his quilt, but his smile grew wider when he saw his grandson wearing the same colors.

“Boy I tell you that was wonderful to get that,” Lawrence said.

Lawrence served the U.S. Navy Air Corps/U.S. Navy from June 15, 1944 until June 9, 1946. He went to flight training school at Doane College in Crete, Neb. and St. Mary’s College in San Francisco, Calif. As the war was coming to an end, Lawrence decided he would transfer to the Navy.

As soon as he was on a ship, he was asked to be the ship engine mechanic on a landing craft infantry (LCI) transport ship. Lawrence’s ship was headed through the Panama Canal when the war ended, so he was directed to a port in Charleston, S.C., to decommission the ship. From there, he went back home.

Civil service runs in the family. In addition to Ethan’s service in the National Guard, all four of Lawrence’s brothers served in the military. Larry Opfer, Lawrence’s son, said all five boys were enlisted in World War II and returned home safely to their sister and widowed mother.

By the time Ethan separated from the Iowa Air National Guard, he had been promoted to staff sergeant and worked his way through the ranks in the intelligence units. He served from 2017 until 2023. To receive a Quilt of Valor at his alma mater alongside his grandpa is a memory he will cherish.

“That is a once in a lifetime experience for many, many people that share military service with their family,” Ethan said. “I think in all the years I’ve attended these veterans assemblies, this is the first time I can remember there being multiple generations in the same assembly. That’s going to stick with me for a long time.”

Surrounded by fellow veterans of all ages and his 98-year-old grandfather, Ethan hopes the message of service resonates with civilians on Veterans Day.

“I want people to take the time and realize that as divided as our country is right now service is something that affects everybody. It’s something that everybody can do,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s military, police or teaching the youth of our nation. It’s something everybody can get behind and unify behind.”

Ann Leonard made the Quilts of Valor, and it had always been her dream to present a pair of them to family members. Larry is Leonard’s banker, and when she learned his father served in World War II she asked if he had received a Quilt of Valor before. He had not. Leonard said she felt a calling to make the quilt.

In the course of their conversation, Larry mentioned his son also served.

“I’ve always wanted to have a grandfather and grandchild get recognized,” Leonard said. “I’ve probably made 10 to 15 quilts. I’ve seen the older generations receive their quilts and appreciate them, and I think it would be an impactful experience for younger generations to have that. It was a dream of mine. It came true today.”