Local Army veteran presented with Quilt of Valor created by Hale County 4-H members

Col. Michael Keller, a 29-year veteran of the United States Army, was recognized with the special quilt during a Lions Club meeting on June 11. 

He was deployed overseas six times, including one 18-month period in Iraq. During that deployment, Keller led tactical civil affairs and public health efforts, according to Shawnte Clawson, Hale County Extension Agent for Family and Community Health. During a different deployment, he was also a commander of the civil-military operations center for Iraq and Afghanistan while stationed in Kuwait. 

During his military career, Col. Keller was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Operation Iraqi Freedom Campaign Medal and the U.N. Humanitarian Service Medal. 

The quilt presented to Keller was created by local 4-H members Brystol Boedeker, Evelyn Mathis and Genevieve Alcozar. Heather Boedeker and Pat Boedeker helped guide the girls through the quilt-making process.