Earlier this month, Karee Van Wert White of North Carolina was honored as the recipient of the National 450,000th Quilt of Valor.

Karee served three tours of duty in Europe and the United States, retiring from the U.S. Army as a Major and Special Operations Command paratrooper based at Fort Bragg. After her military service, she and her husband, Jim, also a Veteran, settled in Apex, North Carolina. Together, they have raised a family deeply committed to military service, with seven of their nine children having served or currently serving in the Armed Forces.

Their family’s dedication to service was met with tremendous challenges when their oldest daughter suffered a traumatic brain injury while stationed in Italy following a combat deployment to Afghanistan. Karee and her family brought her home, where they have provided around-the-clock care and unwavering support.

In recognition of her advocacy, Karee was selected as a 2018 Elizabeth Dole Foundation Fellow representing North Carolina, where she works to raise awareness and support for our nation’s more than 14 million military caregivers.

Karee also serves as Chair Emerita of the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina and is a member of the North Carolina Veterans Engagement and Research Panel. She founded the nonprofit I Love Everyone Foundation, an organization dedicated to restoring hope by creating customized opportunities for chronically ill and wounded individuals whose lives have been profoundly impacted by illness or injury.

A 2021 National Patriot Scholar, Karee earned her Master of Science in Management and recently completed her first book, Ash Woven. The book tells the story of one family shaped by generations of service, sacrifice, and love, tracing their journey through tragedy, resilience, and renewal.