(NEXSTAR) - John A. Ross, a veteran of the United States Air Force, was awarded a Quilt of Valor during a special Sew Day event, recognizing his service and dedication. Ross joined the Air Force in 1959 after graduating high school and served for 15 years, including a three-year deployment in the Philippines. He also spent five years in the Air Force reserves. "Veterans don't get a lot of thanks," Ross said, expressing gratitude for the recognition. "This is something that a lot of people come out of the military and they get lost in the shuffle." Quilts of Valor are uniquely designed to honor veterans, with each quilt telling a personal story. Ross's quilt was crafted by TLC Stars and Stripes, a group dedicated to creating these meaningful gifts. Luanne Lighty, who donates fabric and materials, emphasized the importance of the quilts, stating, "So just this little piece being able to award something that is intimate is very humbling." The process of creating a Quilt of Valor involves a community effort, with individuals contributing by designing, cutting, piecing, and sewing the quilts. Veterans must be nominated to receive a Quilt of Valor, and they must accept the quilt as a gesture of appreciation for their service. The Quilts of Valor initiative provides a heartfelt way to recognize and thank veterans like John A. Ross for their service, offering them a tangible reminder of the gratitude felt by their communities. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by Nexstar. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by Nexstar staff before being published