Grateful Child’s Thanks Wraps 2 Vets in Quilts

COURT HOUSE – Two World War II veterans were honored by Quilts of Valor thanks to the chance meeting by a 10-year-old.  
While Debbie Robson and her 10-year-old granddaughter Briella Heitzman were shopping in a local grocery store, Heitzman noticed a man’s veteran hat and stopped to thank him for his service. 
As it turns out, the man shopping and Heitzman’s great-grandfather had a lot in common.
Heitzman’s great-grandfather, John Sherman, and her new friend, Joe Kasmark are both Navy veterans who served in World War II.  
That chance encounter of the girl’s ‘thank you’ to a veteran created a special meeting like no other. After the meeting, Robson nominated the men to the Quilts of Valor organization. 
The organization creates handmade quilts for veterans who have a large presence in Cape May County. Since the organization’s 2003 inception, over 175,000 quilts have been made and presented to American veterans across the country. 
The idea behind the quilts was to wrap the veteran with love and warmth represented by those special quilts.
Heitzman’s new veteran friend and her grandfather met Dec. 5 for the first time when both were honored with Quilts of Valor for their service. A small gathering, including representatives from Quilts of Valor, honored the men and draped them with red-white-and-blue quilts. 
The veterans shook hands and beamed with happiness as they shared stories of their service and the war. Sherman enlisted in the Navy at age 17, and Joe Kasmark was drafted within one week of his 18th birthday. 
As it turned out, both served in the South Pacific and discussed the possibility that Kasmark’s ship, U.S.S. Connolly, may have escorted the ship that Sherman was stationed aboard during the war. 
The men reminisced about their days serving the country, joking how awful the food was and shared war stories over breakfast at a local deli.
The men were truly humble and honored to be recognized. “It’s a surprise” explained Kasmark, “I thought I was coming here to get breakfast and go home.” 
“It’s nice to finally be recognized” said Sherman while his daughter chimed in “my dad is my hero.” 
Both Sherman and Kasmark explained how fortunate they were to be able to come home, that many were not so lucky but their attitudes and gratitude were overwhelming. 
“It’s a good life, kids can learn a lot and get a great education” said Kasmark. 
Sherman stated, “I wish I could do it all over again” despite the hard times, there were good times too.
To contact Johanna Hovik, email jhovik@cmcherald.com.