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NILES — Four local veterans were honored and recognized for their sacrifice and service with a special ceremony at Brentwood Thursday afternoon.

Tom Buti, Leo Goss, Earl Hansen and Richard Moore were presented with handmade quilts from the Quilts of Valor, a national nonprofit nonpolitical volunteer organization aiming to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing. Each quilt is handmade with an original design.

“A Quilt of Honor is one of the very highest awards an American citizen can bestow on a service member,” said Erica Broecker from the Quilts of Valor’s South Bend chapter. “It’s a lifetime award. On behalf of the quilt of Valor and in recognition of your service and sacrifice to our nation, it is our privilege to honor and bestow upon you a Quilt of Valor.”

Buti was in the Navy from 1960 to 1964. He was a parachute rigger. His quilt was made by Joyce Hostettler and quilted by Kathy Boxell. Goss was in the Air Force from 1953 to 1961. He was a Crew Chief on a B47. His quilt was made by Kathy Boxell. Hansen was in the Air Force from 1941 to 1942. His quilt was made by Muncie Mini Group, quilted by Sarah. Moore was in the Army. He was trained to dissemble and reassemble B29 Bombers. His quilt was made by the Muncie Mini Group, quilted by Sarah.

“We’re always trying to do different things and have different ways to honor them so it’s amazing that they picked us to do this with,” said Jen Hack, Director of Sales and Marketing at Brentwood. “Our life enrichment team is really good about doing different things to honor the veterans who live here.”