Nov. 18—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…