A man of honor

COEUR d’ALENE — Duane Severson was the reason for speeches, accolades, applause, cake and ice cream Saturday at Brookdale Coeur d’Alene.

But he found it ironic that he was being honored for something he did when he was a young man.

“All this stuff happened 70 years ago,” Severson said. “But this would not have happened today if it wouldn’t have been for my brother-in-law, Tony. He’s my best friend. He’s there for anything I need.”

“Well-deserved,” Tony Maravilla responded.

The 89-year-old Severson received a Quilt of Valor before about 30 people at Brookdale, a senior living community.

As the red, white and blue quilt was wrapped around his shoulders, he smiled. The crowd, which included his wife of 66 years, Jennice, cheered.

Sharp and strong, Severson stood tall and greeted guests and shook hands as they congratulated him.

Kayla Main represented Quilts of Valor, a nationwide nonprofit, at the ceremony. She said their mission is “to honor active duty service members and veterans with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. These quilts are an expression of gratitude meant to thank you and comfort you.

“We honor you for leaving all you held dear to serve, whether it was in time of crisis or in time of peace,” Main said.

Severson served in the Army from 1953 to 1955. His tank division started on the south end of Korea before being moved north to the 38th parallel.

“It wasn’t bad,” he said. “Skirmishes here and there, but no big battles.”

But he said there was always someone trying to sneak into their camp, which kept tensions high and nerves frayed.

Severson said a new man with the division was placed on guard duty and couldn’t take it.

“He was so scared he took his pistol and shot himself in the hand, so they sent him home,” Severson said.

Severson suffered his own injury. He showed a scar on his hand from jumping off the back of a truck and catching it on the corner.

“Ripped it wide open,” he said. “Some of these two fingers are still numb.”

Back in America, Severson enjoyed a long career with Boeing and lived in the Seattle area before he and his wife recently moved to Brookdale.

Maravilla said Severson is a wonderful man and always willing to help.

“Anytime you need anything, all you need to do is call,” he said.

Lona Rudd gave her dad a kiss on the cheek after he accepted his quilt. She said he was "the best father she could ever wish for." He worked hard and was generous, kind and honest.

“He was always there for you,” she said.

Rudd said her father often told her that he learned to be organized and disciplined in the military, and that never changed.

“He takes that through to this day,” Rudd said.

    Duane Severson gets a kiss from his daughter, Lona Rudd, following the Quilts of Valor presentation at Brookdale Coeur d'Alene on Saturday.
  

    Duane Severson stands next to the quilt he received at Brookdale Coeur d'Alene on Saturday for his military service.