MINEOLA, Iowa (KMTV) — Veterans received Quilts of Valor during a special musical tribute at the Malvern Country Music Festival, held in Mineola, on Saturday.

Gold Star Mothers of Iowa and Nebraska — mothers whose children have died during military service — presented Iowa veterans with the handmade quilts as a way to honor their service.

WATCH KATRINA'S STORY BELOW Gold Star mothers honor Iowa veterans with Quilts of Valor ceremony

Barbara Yllescas Vorthmann lost her son, Army Ranger Capt. Robert Yllescas , nearly 17 years ago after he was fatally wounded during his third deployment to Afghanistan. Three of Vorthmann's four children served in combat zones. Robert was her oldest.

"We talked on the phone and he said, 'Mom, just pray. I have an uneasy feeling about this,'" she said.

See Full Page