A ceremony held on February 21, 2023, at Mansfield United Protestant Church honored three veterans for their extensive military service. The event, organized by the Quilts of Valor Foundation, recognized the contributions of Lee Hanford, Rod Cool, and Mark Cooper, whose combined service spans over five decades and three generations.
The Quilts of Valor Foundation, founded in 2003, has awarded more than 437,000 quilts to veterans and service members who have been affected by war. Ann Cooper and Jo Miller, members of both the Quilts of Valor Foundation and the Lake Chelan Quilts of Valor group, presented the quilts during the ceremony. Ann Cooper opened the event by explaining the foundation’s mission and the significance of the quilts.
“Our quilts are awarded, not just handed out,” Cooper emphasized. She clarified that a Quilt of Valor is distinct from a charity quilt, serving as a heartfelt acknowledgment of service and sacrifice. The foundation comprises 655 volunteer groups and over 11,000 members nationwide. In Washington state alone, 26 groups awarded more than 1,300 quilts in the previous year. The Lake Chelan group has awarded over 35 quilts since its inception three years ago.
During the ceremony, Jo Miller presented Lee Hanford with a Vietnam Veteran lapel pin, recognizing the often-overlooked sacrifices of Vietnam veterans. “Vietnam veterans returned home to a nation in turmoil, and most received no recognition for their service or a welcome home,” Miller stated. This acknowledgment aims to rectify that historical oversight.
The ceremony included personal reflections from each veteran about their military experiences. Hanford, who graduated from Bridgeport High School in June 1970, entered the U.S. Army in May 1971 after receiving a draft notice. Following basic training at Fort Lewis, he underwent medic training in Texas. Hanford was then assigned to Fort Stewart in Georgia, where he served on medical evacuation helicopters, gaining experience with the widely recognized UH-1 “Huey” aircraft. He received an honorable discharge in July 1972, returning to manage his family’s 2,500-acre wheat and cattle ranch until his retirement in 2017.
Reflecting on the quilt presentation, Hanford expressed gratitude for the recognition: “It means a lot.”
Rod Cool, a Chelan native, joined the U.S. Army after graduating from Chelan High School in 1982, inspired by a long family tradition of military service. His grandfather served in World War I, while his father and uncle served in World War II. He served from January 8, 1982, to January 8, 1988, training as a drill sergeant. After leaving the military, Cool dedicated 38 years to teaching high school agriculture and mentoring students through the Future Farmers of America (FFA). He retired in June 2025 and currently works as a brand inspector for the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
Mark Cooper, the youngest veteran honored, was born at Lake Chelan Hospital and graduated from Chelan High School in 2004. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly thereafter, serving from 2004 to 2010. Cooper was assigned to the USS Nassau (LHA-4) and participated in deployments supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He received an honorable discharge as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate Petty Officer Third Class after visiting 14 countries across six continents.
Today, Cooper resides in Spanaway, where he works as a senior calibration specialist for Boeing. He balances his professional life with hobbies such as cooking, fishing, and exploring new places.
The event concluded with the presentation of quilts to each veteran, symbolizing gratitude for their service. For both Ann Cooper and Jo Miller, the ceremony embodies the essence of the Quilts of Valor program—acknowledging service members and preserving their stories for future generations.
For more information about the Lake Chelan Quilts of Valor group, interested individuals may contact the group leader, Sue Freden, at [email protected]. The group meets monthly at the Chelan Fire Station to continue its mission of honoring veterans.
