My father has sure had some special days lately. He recently received a Quilt of Valor!
I had heard about the Quilts of Valor project in the past, but I thought the quilts were only presented to returning Service Members and Honor Flight Veterans. But after researching more, I see that this is a massive effort on the part of thousands of quilting volunteers across the country. Over 200,000 quilts have been awarded in all 50 states. These quilts are Awarded to a Veteran who has been touched by war in any way. My father was nominated to the local QOV chapter, Comstock Lode Quilters, in Carson City for his service in WWII.
The Quilts of Valor Foundation is a national organization founded in 2003 by “Blue Star” mom Catherine Roberts. With a son deployed in Iraq – a gunner sitting atop a Humvee – she felt ten seconds away from panic 24-hours a day, every day. It was during that time her son was deployed that she had the idea of comforting Veterans with quilts.
What Quilts of Valor Are
From the beginning, Catherine Roberts had definite ideas about standards of excellence for Quilts of Valor:
I knew a Quilt of Valor had to be a quality-made quilt, not a “charity quilt.” A Quilt of Valor had to be quilted, not tied, which meant hand or machine quilting. Quilts of Valor would be “awarded,” not just passed out like magazines or videos. A Quilt of Valor would say unequivocally, “Thank you for your service, sacrifice, and valor” in serving our nation in combat.
Three members of this local Chapter,(L-R) Jean Barry, Marsha Strand and Dixie Judge arrived on Sunday, Fathers Day, to present the quilt.
The presentation was beautifully performed by Marsha with the assistance of Dixie and Jean. This protector cloth cover that held the quilt was made by a local school girl, and she enclosed a personal handwritten note. But Jack was reminded that this quilt is made to be used and not stowed away in a drawer.
On hand to join Jack on this memorable day, there were over 20 friends. Just before the ceremony, several members of the Combat Vet Motorcycle Association (CVMA) arrived with a roar in front of Jack’s house. He was pleased to meet each of them. They made a special detour on their Sunday Ride to stop in and meet Jack. He was thrilled to meet the Vets.
The above Video is courtesy of KOLO Channel 8 in RENO, NV
All across the country, there are chapters of the Quilts of Valor. Check out your local chapter and see how you can help. These are all made through donations and hard work by thousands of volunteers. A quilt can cost over $200.00. Comstock Lode Quilters is Jack’s local chapter, but you can find a chapter near you at www.qovf.org
So happy for Jack! What a neat honor. Tell Jack Hello from the Moores. He’s a special guy!
Thanks, C & J, It was a cool event to see. He was so surprised and honored. He says Hi back at Ya and hopes you will stop again one day if you are finding yourselves along Hwy395 🙂
OUTSTANDING!
Thanks Bill, it was pretty cool.
Very Cool! Tell Jack Hi and Congratulations!
Thanks Mark! I gave him the message and of course he wanted to know when you were stopping by again 🙂