Happenings In Oregon

On Sunday afternoon, another six Quilts of Valor were presented to our
American Military Heroes in a very nice ceremony in Springfield. Thank
you, Bobbie, for organizing!!


One of the Guardsmen from the audience came to speak with me afterward.
He had received his Quilt of Valor last February at the big Welcome Home
ceremony in Portland; he loves his quilt and has it put aside because he
was hesitant to use it because he did not know how to care for it. I
reminded him that this quilt was intended to be used, not just a wall
decoration, and gave him simple washing instructions. It will now be
wrapped around him frequently! He was very moved when awarded his QOV and
so inspired by the program that he wants to learn how to quilt so he can
make more Quilts of Valor for others!! He will soon be joining our local
group!


Submitted by J Marie and Pene

Its a Small QOV world

QOV was featured at the Lincoln (NE) Quilters Guild quilt show May 18-20 in Lincoln, NE.  Julia and I were manning the QOV table where we handed out QOV literature, invited visitors to the show to sign a QOV quilt block, answered questions about the quilts on display and QOV in general, etc.  Two ladies approached the table, and we were chatting about QOV while they signed blocks.  One mentioned she was from Colorado, and the other from Wyoming.  We asked where in Wyoming since I am also from Wyoming; she said Riverton so we asked if she had ever visited Sheep Camp Quilts in Shoshoni, which, of course she had.  Then, I commented that there is also a rather famous blogger from the Riverton area, who has a blog called Wyoming Breezes.  She laughed and said "well, that is me, and I am NOT famous!"    We explained that yes, she is, and that we totally appreciate her 12 in 12 QOV Challenge!

Attached is a pic of all of us standing by the QOV display (from left to right, Sara, Nancy and Julia)

Lincoln NE Quilters Guild QOV's

The Lincoln (NE) Quilters Guild biennial quilt show was held May 18-20 at
the Weary Center on the campus of Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln,
NE.  In addition to the nearly 350 quilts submitted to the show, the event
featured a special exhibit of Quilts of Valor.  We challenged the Guild
members to make 100 QOVs for the show, and by the end of the show, we had
102 QOVs!  The Guild's youth outreach program teamed up with QOV and
provided pre-cut strips of fabric for young visitors to the show to sew
into quilt blocks that will eventually make more QOVs.  Guests, young and
young-at-heart, were invited to sign more blocks that will also find their
way into future QOVs.  At the end of the show, we had hundreds and hundreds
of blocks!!

The QOVs and the youth program were housed on the second floor of the Weary
Center, providing a stunning upper view for visitors to the quilt show on
the ground floor. Visitors to the second floor commented that the setting
was cozy and inviting as well as impressive.  One visitor commented that
she had never seen so much red, white and blue in one place before!

Included in the display were  4 quilts made by 4-H members from Nebraska as
part of the Nebraska 4-H QOV Challenge.  4-H members in Nebraska are hard
at work on more QOVs that will displayed at local county fairs and the
Nebraska State Fair later this summer.

Though many of the QOVs were made by QOV "regulars," we also received quite
a number from quilters who had never before made a Quilt of Valor.
Receiving the quilts and hearing the quilters' stories about them was one
of the "best" parts of putting together the exhibit.  For example, one QOV
was made by a 93-year old mom and her daughter, and the daughter talked
about what a joy it was to sew with her mom.  Another QOV was made by a
prayer group at a local church, and one of the male members who did much of
the cutting of fabric recently passed away so the QOV represents a lasting
legacy to that prayer group.

The machine quilting on the QOVs was also noteworthy.  Julia S, the
co-coordinator for QOVF in Nebraska quilted a zillion of the QOVs, and she
was joined by long-armers from cities and towns all over Nebraska (check
out your maps for Lincoln, Omaha, Hickman, Syracuse, Elmwood, Ravenna,
etc......) and as far away as Minnesota, Virginia and Florida.

Visitors were invited to vote on "viewer's choice" among the QOVs on
display.  First place went to Cheryl K (with Kristin H as quilter) for
American Valor; second place was Ginny H (Joan O as quilter) for 9-Patch
Variation and third place was Ginny H (Julia S as quilter) for Stars and
Bars.

At the end of the show, 18 of the quilts traveled to Cozad, Nebraska where
they will be displayed as part of the 100th Meridian Museum's  Memorial Day
events.  Forty more of the QOVs are traveling to Texas where they will be
awarded to a group of Navy veterans from the Vietnam War.  About a dozen of
the quilts are being awarded as per individual requests received on the
QOVF website, and the remainder are set aside for the Nebraska National
Guard and the Warrior Transition Battalion at Ft Campbell, KY.

Submitted by:
Sara and Julia

Lewis and Clark Quilts of Valor

May 19, 2012 the Lewis-Clark Quilts of Valor met for a day of Sewing and
sharing.  Five WWII Veterans were presented a Quilt of Valor.  Two of our
veterans were POW.  These men were so appreciative to have been presented.

I have included the individual photo of John Hoye.  John has written his
memoir in a book called "Three Damned Wars Too Many".  There are not many
men of his caliber.  John not only served in WWII but Korea and Vietnam.
He was shot down twice, POW, 2 time Purple Heart recipient and according to
his wife, Bette, "a damned good pilot!".  John presented his book to me
before the presentations.  I have started reading it and am having a hard
time putting it down.

We were pleased to have June Moore and her hubby Mike join us.  We all know
June is wonderful but Mike is an equal with me.  As you can see, we put him
to work!

We were also pleased to have Debbie and Judy from Vancouver, WA.  They are
beginning their journey as Under our Wings coaches.  June 14 will be their
"kick-off" with the Montavilla QOV group.

submitted by Sharon L

Land of Lincoln QOV'ers

Troop Talk: Quilting group makes blankets for returning service members
By Nancy Strunk Kirby For The Beacon-News May 17, 2012 5:44PM

Dixie Riley of Elgin embraces a serviceman before presenting him with a quilt as part of a Land of Lincoln Quilts of Valor presentation at Aurora Central Catholic High School on Veteran's Day 2011. The quilting organization makes several hundred quilts for military personnel each year. | Submitted

At A Glance

What: Land of Lincoln Quilts of Valor, regional chapter of the international Quilts of Valor Foundation, makes quilts for soldiers returning from combat

Sponsor: Prairie Shop Quilts, 1911 W. Wilson St., Batavia, owned by Bonita Deering

Sew-ins: First Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and evening sew-in every third Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m.

Special relationship with: Great Lakes Naval Base in Chicago

Quilt count: 420 quilts distributed in 2011 with 177 and counting for 2012

Contact: Rita Pennington, 630-897-7469 or garipenn@att.net

Rita’s blog: http://lolqov.blogspot.com

On the Web: www.QOVF.org (international foundation)


*********************************************************

At the back of Prairie Shop Quilts in Batavia, something is going on. When you walk in, the chatter of women’s voices filters up to the front counter. As you make your way to the opposite end of the large shop, you hear the whir of sewing machines and detect the distinct smell of hot irons.

When you make it to the classroom area, you find 14 women busily working — sewing, ironing quilt pieces, cutting cloth, searching for materials. They’ve been here since 10 a.m. and won’t quit until 2 in the afternoon.

Welcome to the monthly sew-in of the Land of Lincoln Quilts of Valor, an organization of quilting enthusiasts who make and deliver dozens of quilts around the Midwest to military personnel returning from combat. Every three to four months, they deliver 75 to 80 quilts to a representative of Great Lakes Naval Base in Chicago.

The quilts are then presented during Returning Warrior Workshops, which take place in cities throughout the Midwest to help honor and provide transitional support to returning sailors. The workshop culminates in a Saturday night banquet, where service members and their spouses are presented with awards and a quilt from Land of Lincoln Quilts of Valor.

Other quilts are distributed to vets through Hines VA Hospital, Operation Welcome You Home and other groups who make requests. Each quilt is affixed with a label bearing the name of the recipient and the names of the quilters.

“People just want to help,” says Rita Pennington of Aurora, who serves as the state’s regional coordinator for the national foundation. “They want to do something for the soldiers. It’s their way of giving back.”

Let the quilting begin

Pennington is lovingly known as the “sergeant” of the sewing troops who assemble once a month for their sew-ins. She maintains an extensive blog for the group, which highlights upcoming local and regional events, makes calls for donations and keeps a running count of quilts distributed to troops. For 2011, 420 quilts were presented, with a tally of 177 and counting for 2011.

At the end of a recent Tuesday sew-in, Pennington packed up her car with works in progress: 17 tops ready for backing, five finished quilts and 12 quilts still needing bindings.

Pennington, a lifelong seamstress, began sewing for Quilts of Valor on her own in 2004. Four years later, she approached Prairie Shop Quilts owner Bonita Deering about using the classroom space in her shop for a “sew-in.” Only four people came to the first event in 2008, but the word spread quickly in the quilting community. Gatherings have attracted up to 22 participants.

Quilters can come and go, putting in as much time as they are able, but most stay for the entire event, bringing a dish for a potluck lunch, which many quilters eat at their sewing stations, barely taking a break from their work.

Those unable to make the sew-ins can pick up kits they can work on at home and drop off at the shop. Ladies of the Land of Lincoln chapter span a range of cities, including Aurora, North Aurora, Carol Stream, Elburn, Kaneville, Millbrook, Montgomery, Oswego and Rolling Meadows.

Supporting the troops

Maggie Alvarado, of Rolling Meadows, a quilter for 20 years, has a son who served in Iraq and is stationed in Hawaii. Another son, serving with the Navy, died four years ago at Great Lakes Naval Base because of complications from a skull fracture.

Letting troops know that “we appreciate them” is what motivates her, Alvarado says. “You don’t realize how much these quilts and getting care packages mean to them,” she said.

All the materials for the quilts are donated, with quilters using personal stashes of supplies, and other supporters donating materials and money. The group attends events like the Aurora Farmers Market, raffling quilts to raise funds.

Deering, who has owned Prairie Shop Quilts for six years, says it was natural to say yes to the request to donate her classroom space for the Quilts of Valor group in 2008. Giving is part of the culture of quilting, she explains.

“Quilters are just generous people,” Deering says. “It’s something we can do — it’s a skill we have that people appreciate.”

Karen Lamboley of Montgomery brought along several friends from the Oswego area when she joined the quilting group several years ago. Lamboley’s husband served in the Air Force, and all four of his brothers are vets, with two serving in the Navy, one in the Army and one in the Marines. With that kind of military background, she knows what seemingly small gestures mean to service personnel.

“Our soldiers are just so grateful,” Lamboley says.

And although they can’t always be physically present when quilts are handed to deserving military personnel, the sewing ladies at Quilts of Valor know that their work is meaningful.

“We get the most loving notes from families about how much it meant to them,” Pennington says. “It’s an incredible feeling.”

The group’s quilting efforts are meant to send a simple message.

“We back home do care for the troops,” Lamboley says. “We worry about them and pray for them and want to support them in any way we can.”

Email freelance writer Nancy Kirby at nancystrunkkirby@gmail.com with ideas.

A grateful presentation

From a Private Ceremony (see blog May 10) to May 12.  Permission received
from Mike to share his presentation with everyone!  (He just didn't want to
be on TV!)

Chapter 2
Mike, Jim and Joe.  Three men very dear to my heart.  Mike, Vietnam Veteran
who finally decided to accept a QOV.  Jim, the Dr. that Mike credits for
saving many lives during the Vietnam War.  Joe a dental surgeon and Korean
War Veteran and one of Mikes best friends.

When I got to the house, Mike informed everyone he had been on the verge of
throwing up all day in anticipation of his QOV.  I mentioned I thought he
had been on the verge for the past 3 months.  There were times I thought
perhaps it had been a bad idea to encourage Mike to accept his QOV.  He DID
a lot of suffering and soul searching before he finally gained his
"personal freedom".

The presentations to Jim and Joe were tough, but I held it together and did
a pretty good job.  When it came to Mike all bets were off.  All I could do
was to hug him and cry.  It meant so much to him and he struggled for so
long to reconcile a lot of events during Vietnam.  He said, "I want you to
know this quilt has been life changing for me".    It has been life
changing for me too.

It would be enough to say all are happy - but, Mike has requested a QOV for
a close friend of his that is still struggling with the effects of
Vietnam.  Susan Gordon, GA Regional Coordinator will be sharing the rest of
Mikes story - for the request is now in her hands.  I look forward to the
next chapter in this wonderful story of healing and inner peace.


Submitted by Sharon L

A Thank you Letter

This is the 3rd recipient letter I have received since I started making
QOV's in 2008 and as always it is wonderful.  I never expect to hear from
any of the recipients as what they are going through is taking all of
their strength both physically and mentally.  I am still in tears and
smiling at the same time.  It was beautifully quilted by Jamie W. in
Arizona


Deanna,

  My name is Anthony S.  I'm a Sereant Firt Class with 3-509th parachute
Infantry Regiment out of Ft. Richardson Alaska.  I was serving in
Afghanistan when I was shot twice on the 30 april last month.  Once on
the left leg and once in the right flank which also fractured my hip.  I
recieved you quilt at Lanstul Germany.  I just wanted to thank you from
the bottom of my heart for that gift.  It was a long painful week, and
it was nice to know aside from family there are still people out there
that care about the military.  Afghanistan is bad right now,and anytime
I come to the states,the war doesn't even get one minute on the news.
I'm a platoon Sergeant and have some of the bravest men I ever have had
the privelage of serving with.  I have two tours in Iraq and this was my
first tour in Afghanistan. So again thank you for your support for the
military. Please tell Jaime W. she has my heart felt thanks.  I ended
up getting my purple heart pinned on by president Obama on the 2nd of
may which was a honor,but I enjoyed your quilt more. Thank you for the
sacrifice your father and the rest of your family that have served have
done for this country.   Have a great week.


                                                                                     Anthony

Submitted by Deanna

Ann at HMQS

Let me preface this by saying, if you ever get the chance to take in a national quilt show, it is possible the most interesting experience one can have.  There is something for everyone. 

 

This was my 5th year to attend HMQS.  My favorite part was and always is meeting other quilters: exchanging ideas and learning new techniques.  I roomed with another QOV quilter from northern Idaho.  We have only met through Quilts of Valor, on Facebook.  We formed a great friendship in just 4 days!

 

Left: Carla Gentry from Inland Northwest Quilts of Valor.  I am on the right.

There were 2 men quilters that were teaching classes this year. Carla and I found ourselves together in 3 of their classes. So interesting to take a class from very talented and artistic quilters: male or female.  Every minute of every class helped you to “think outside the box.” 

 

Dustin Farrell from Pennsylvania.  We does awesome quilts with glow-in-the-dark thread!

Walking down the isles of massive displays of quilts helped you see what other’s see in the world around them

HMQS was really fun this year because they honored Quilts of Valor.  They had a special QOV Challenge sponsored by Quilting Treasures Fabrics.  I entered the challenge and for the first time, had a quilt hanging in the show:

There were 33 entries and my personal favorite was this QOV:  I love the old fashioned look to it and think they used the fabrics in a great way:

The QOV’s were in a completely separate area from the rest of the quilts and were judged as a single group.

 

This was the winning QOV:

I have been quilting for 6 years and have a quilting studio where I quilt for customers on a regular basis; however, I always set aside time to quilt 2 QOV’s a month.

 

My husband and I live on a wheat farm in Southern Idaho.  I was raised in a saddle on a cattle ranch in the Raft River Valley.  We moved up here at 5400 ft. when we got married 37 years ago.  We have 3 grown children happily pursuing careers off the farm. 

 

We live on my husband’s grandfather’s homestead.  He raised wheat and operated a sawmill.  He logged timber from Black Pine Mountain and milled all the lumber that is inside our house to this day.  My studio is an old farmhouse we remodeled and the wood in those walls was “homemade” also.

So, this is it . . . where we live, farm and all my quilts are made.  The timber for the houses nestled in the trees came from the mountain 7 miles in the background.  Not too many of you have to drive 60 miles for groceries, the dentist, the accountant, etc.  We are 20 miles from our mailbox and the kids drove 28 miles to high school . . . one way.

 

An interesting fact is that we do have DSL high speed internet service and if it were not for that, I would not even know about Quilts of Valor.

 

I should be thanking Quilts of Valor as it has actually done a huge service for me!  Quilting those quilts has helped me get through cancer treatments, the death of my Dad, and helps me cope with my Mom’s failing health.   Truly, the best way to lift your spirits is through service to others.

If you want to see more of what Ann does - head over to her blog

A little Glimpse at QOV's at HMQS

Hopefully we will have quite a few posts for you about what went on at HMQS in Salt Lake City.... but here is a great glimpse.... June has made a slide show of all the Quilts that were in the Quilts of Valor Challenge..... and Diane - the tireless worker and promoter, and over all jill of all trades gets to smile for us....

And   HERE  is the Link to the QOV Slide Show - Enjoy!! And be inspired!!!

Women Vet's Presentation

The Southeastern Wisconsin Quilts of Valor sewing group meets the 4th Saturday of each month (except December) to piece and quilt.  We are a small but creative, dedicated, and enthusiastic group.  Being a small group located in an area with no nearby major military installation, we have focussed on local Veterans who seem to "fly under the radar."


Through our participation in a 2010 Veteran's Day ceremony recognizing Milwaukee County employees who also served in the armed forces and are touched by war, we connected with two organizations providing outreach services to local Veterans.  Dry Hootch is a new outreach via a coffee shop atmosphere to Veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Dry Hootch coordinates and collaborates with Center for Veterans Issues which began in 1969 with outreach to Vietnam Veterans.  The Center for Veterans Issues provides supportive services and housing to homeless Veterans in order for them to obtain employment and a decent place to live. When a homeless Veteran agrees to participate in the array of services offered via a case management system, the Veteran can live in the shelter for up to two years as long as the Veteran continues to progress toward independence.


One day Tink and I dropped by the administrative offices of the Center for Veterans Issues with a couple of Quilts of Valor.  We picked up more information on the programs and services and did a "show & tell" for the receptionist and anyone in the immediate area who cared to listen.  We left information we've compiled on Quilts of Valor and contact information with the receptionist.  This drop-by got us the name and contact information for the manager of the residential programs and left people buzzing about Quilts of Valor.


Our follow-up contact with the residential program manager secured an invitation to tour the recently opened shelter for female Veterans in the Fall, 2011.  Again, we arrived with Quilts of Valor to "show & tell" the story of QOV.  We also had a small donated wall-hanging quilt featuring homes in a neighborhood that we presented to the program manager to hang in the new shelter.  At that time seven (7) females were already residing in the just opened shelter.  We said we wanted to take the information we gathered back to our QOV quilting group to share and explain the need for these female Veterans to know that their service and their sacrifices matter and are deeply appreciated by this community.   Knowing there were women Veterans who lived part of their lives on the streets touched us all deeply.  When the QOV quilting group heard of this unmet need, they enthusiastically agreed to work on this special project.


Since quilts do not come together overnight - except for the insomniacs amongst us - and since life intervenes in unforeseen ways, it was April 2012 before we made further contact with the residential program manager.  We learned there are now eleven female Veterans in the shelter and one child under the age of 7 living with her Veteran mother.  We planned for a presentation of Quilts of Valor just prior to Mother's Day at the Veterans Manor which opened about a year ago.  It has a community room ideal for such a presentation.


We hung our Quilts of Valor banner and a Valiant Eagle quilt as a backdrop for the presentation in the community room.  As the Veterans gathered, it was clear they did not know what to expect.  Also, in attendance were several case managers and one of the founding members of the Center for Veterans Issues.  The program about the history and mission of Quilts of Valor preceded the presentation of QOVs to the Veterans.  The smiles in the accompanying photographs tell the rest of the story.

From initial contacts and conversations, it took almost 18 months to coordinate a presentation of these eleven QOVs.  Developing contacts and creating trusting relationships takes time, perseverance, and patience.  There are four (4) male Veteran shelters in the area and we have developed the kind of relationship that will allow us to create QOVs for these Veterans in shelters as we are able to do so.

Submitted by Dick Linhart

A cool pattern for a QOV

Over at Patchworktimes.com  There is a Quilt a long going on called Sweet Treats - I think it should make a great Quilt of Valor.


Even though she is doing it in bright colors - another one is being done is Patriotics.... check it out

It is still in process - but you can see what the idea is with the Red Whites and Blues!!


Enjoy!!

You are worth following

On April 23rd I was privileged to represent the Quilts of Valor community and present quilts to the Rainier Therapeutic Riders at Yelm Washington.

http://www.rtriding.org/

Rainier Therapeutic Riding provides basic horsemanship lessons to injured military personnel at 3 arenas in the Yelm, WA area.  They have operated for nearly 2 years and are already the largest provider of equine therapy to military personnel in the country.  They are currently serving 48 soldiers weekly, and have over 50 active volunteers and 3 certified instructors, along with 14 privately owned/leased horses.

They work directly with medical military personnel attached to the Army Warrior Transition Battalion and Air Force Medical Flight at Joint Base Lewis McChord to select active duty soldiers suffering from Suicidal tendencies, Post Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury, as well as a host of other injuries.  These soldiers come to them from a very dark mental place, and the relationship they build with “their” horse leads them back to a joy for living.  “We get to see the “spark” come back into their eyes as well as the smiles on their faces.  Without that “spark”, their future will be very bleak.”

My experience at the Serenity Farms was nothing less that breathtaking. It is a beautiful facility generously donated to facilitate this healing program. To witness the change in these warriors and to hear their stories of recovery was certainly humbling.

One of the exercises I witnessed was designed to build trust and confidence. The rider had to take command and teach the horse who was in charge. The instructor told the rider “You are worth following.”  Those were small words with huge impact. It was a delight to watch the faces light up as they realized that they were indeed valuable and “worth following”.

Thank you to those of you who helped to make this presentation possible. Your quilts were a tangible gift and reminder that these warriors are appreciated and that their personal sacrifices are acknowledged and valued. You also helped to remind them yes indeed they are worth following.

Submitted by:
Lori Kutch
Deputy Director

Private Ceremony

After a year of requests, a Vietnam Veteran has agreed to a QOV.  He and
two other recipients have asked for a quiet private "ceremony".  He wrote a
letter which states information pertinent to us all.  To protect his
identity, I am omitting names and places.  He also requested a quilt for
another wounded veteran, through the QOVF network.  In part is his reply to
the coordinator filling his request.

"There is no need to rush (to fill the request)--please operate at your own
speed.......just make sure he is contacted sometime ahead of the
presentation......I found that one can "lay to rest" a bunch of stuff by
being retrospective between the notification stage and the presentation
stage.  I am sure he will call and discuss a variety of issues with
me.....".
"FYI xxx   has tried to get me to accept a quilt for some time.  Her gentle
coaxing has allowed me to do so with some dignity."

Then followed:
"After having some time to "reflect" on everything that has passed with
respect to the QOV, including discussions with xxx and xxx, I am quite
eager to get one (+) a "hug" from you."

"I know so many guys that have had problems (medical, physical,logistical,
etc) after returning home.  Seems like a QOV would be helpful to them as
well.  As such, I found your National web for QOV and asked that one be
awarded to a collaborator of mine"

"As it turns out, I was immediately contacted by someone at the National
level-----then, someone at the State level.  Looks like xxx will get a
quilt.  I cannot tell you how much this has meant to me.  It seems so
simple, but it is a symbol of personal "freedom," justice and recognition.
Thank you for being such a pain that you kept after me to do this, not only
for me, but for xxx, xxx and now XXX (a troubled guy that will be made
better)"


Submitted by Sharon L

Rainier Therapeutic Riding

Lori K - Our Deputy Director went to Rainier Therapeutic Riding Center and was honored to present Quilts of Valor to these wonderful Veterans. She is writing up a story for the blog.... but Here are a few photos - and a link to the news segment that ran!!

And here is the link to the news piece:   Click here   Enjoy!!!

Why we do what we do ...

Vixanna and Deborah are right, the war is still continuing and the need is
still great.  It's gone on for so long though that some people just don't
want to think of it any more, especially if they don't have any one
involved.

However, I find it hard NOT to keep sewing for our soldiers and it's true I
do focus mainly on the wounded soldiers.  Many years ago my soldier
husband was laying on a stretcher that was connected to a cable and the
cable connected to the Helicopter hovering above the treetops of a Vietnam
jungle.  The other wounded soldiers I met while my husband was in the
hospitol amazed me.  At that time Ft. Ords hospitol wards were big open
bays.  If you wanted privacy the curtain was pulled around the bed, so I
got to know some of them well.  I would ask if any one had any requests as
I was on my way to visit.  Yes there were the usual requests, such as
books or playing cards.  One of my husbands neighbors asked if I would
bring a bag of skillet popped corn and to burn it just a little.  The
nurse on the ward had to keep watch over them like little boys at times
because one of their favorite things to do was to wheel chair race, or to
get up and walk and when they could, just keep on walking out the door.
Wounded men with smiles and big macho attitudes and I loved them all.

I can't stop paying that pilot back who lifted my husband out, or
remembering that there are soldiers just like my husbands ward mates that
still need to know that someone cares.  In June we will have been married
50 years.

I'm so glad that all of you are sewing for the same cause, and I love
hearing about your special sewing events and teaching the students how to
make a quilt.  Keep sharing your thank you notes.  They may be few and far
between but they go so far in keeping our spirits up and still sewing.

Submitted by Sharon D., KY

Quilts from Nancy

Nancy L of AZ/WA has been a very very busy gal.... check out the quilt tops she made in April

This is her Scrappy Irish Chain Quilt!

This pattern is found in Kim Brackett's Scrap Basket Sensations.

And this one is found over at Mary Quilts .com  

Nancy added the stars for a different effect - I LOVE it!!!

Thanks for your commitment Nancy!!!