Dustin Bragg was presented with a Quilt of Valor at Sam’s Restaurant on May 8th at noon. Dustin (Dusty) was raised in Fairfield and graduated from Fairfield High School in 2002. He joined the Navy after graduation and spent 21 years as a submariner. He deployed from various “boats” to various theatres of operation.
After an injury he was able to retire after circumnavigating the globe three times and setting foot on every continent other than Antarctica. Dusty retired as a Chief Petty Officer.
Suzanne DiCarlo coordinated the presentation for the Quilts of Valor Foundation. The foundation began in 2003 with a dream, Founder Catherine Roberts’ son Nat was deployed in Iraq. According to Catherine: The dream was as vivid as real life. I saw a young man sitting on the side of his bed in the middle of the night, hunched over. The permeating feeling was one of utter despair. I could see his war demons clustered around, dragging him down into an emotional gutter. Then, as if viewing a movie, I saw him in the next scene wrapped in a quilt. His whole demeanor changed from one of despair to one of hope and well-being. The quilt had made this dramatic change. The message of my dream was: QUILTS = HEALING.
The Fairfield VFW Post joined the celebration, also. VFW Mission: To foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts. To serve our veterans, the military and our communities. To advocate on behalf of all veterans. VFW Vision: Ensure that veterans are respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of this great country.
Submitted by Carolyn Hughes.
Photos by Natalia V. Marsters
