MPC’s Gallup Refinery Leadership Team members volunteered their time at the Quilts of Valor veterans’ program in Gallup, New Mexico. The program provides quilts to 10 service members each year. The MPC team served the refreshments, and thanked veterans in attendance by presenting each of them with an MPC Veteran’s Challenge coin and baseball cap.

“I was truly struck by the beauty of these homemade quilts,” shared Dave Pruner, environmental health and safety manager. “Being a veteran, it was emotional to experience these veterans, with their families in the audience, receive these spectacular offers of appreciation. The quilt maker spends many months custom making the quilt and then presents it in the ceremony by wrapping it around the veteran.”

The grandfather-in-law of Sergio Zarate-Resendiz, building grounds support, was one of 10 who received a quilt. Sergio and his wife’s family were at the event to watch the presentation.

“It felt great to see the refinery supporting our local veterans,” shared Zarate-Resendiz. “I was proud to witness the ceremony that honored my family member and other veterans.”

“I did not expect the level of impact that these quilts and the ceremony would have on the veterans and their families,” emphasized Pruner. “To see the pride and appreciation on all of their faces was priceless. I cannot wait until next year.”