Lewis and Clark Quilts of Valor

Lewis-Clark Quilts of Valor presented 6 Quilts of Valor at the monthly
Marine Corps League meeting. One of the recipients was Sharon, now
retired, who was both a Vietnam and Dessert Storm nurse. Sharon worked at
Walter Reed and seen the importance of our quilts. She was deeply touch to
receive her quilt.

Stan had the honor of receiving an Al Lind quilt. It was fitting for one
of members of this League to receive such a special quilt. Most of the men
in this group are Vietnam Veterans. They are a very active group in our
local community. I find it uplifting to see men, as deeply wounded as they
have been, continuing to serve their fellow man with malice towards none.
They were the first to step forward and help with our QOV fundraising
projects.

I was honored, following the presentation, to be asked, along with my
husband, to be their Guest of Honor at their annual Marine Corps Ball this
year. It was my turn to melt into a puddle of tears before them. I love
these guys (gals).

Retired Alaskan Combat Veterans Enjoy Quilts of Valor

After gathering in Wasilla, Alaska, to sew a mystery designed by Le Ann Weaver, www.persimmonquilts.com many of the quilters presented their finished quilts to family and friends.

Viet Nam veteran, Dave B. enjoys the love and warmth of the quilt made by his wife Kathy while he sits in his recliner on cool Alaskan nights. Dave spent his tours as a helicopter pilot hovering over the jungles of Viet Nam rescuing injured Americans and retrieving downed aircraft. Thank you Dave for bringing our injured to safety!

Kim O. retired from the Air Force after serving our country both in Iraq and here at home for many years. Her friend, Mary T. presented her quilt in front of quilting friends soon after the sew-in.  Her husband, Roger, also received a slightly different variation of this design in recognition of his combat service as a National Guardsman. We all appreciate the efforts both Kim and Roger have given to keep us free!

A Korean War veteran received his Quilt of Valor at his home in near Wasilla recently, just two days before heading in for surgery. His response was “I’ve never had a quilt of my own before! This quilt will be well used while I spend time resting after surgery.”

That same day, a Viet Nam veteran was visited by representatives of VFW Post 9365, Wasilla, Alaska and QOV Regional Coordinator Linda K. where he was presented with his Quilt of Valor to show our appreciation for his service and offer comfort. Again, he mentioned how he’ll be using that quilt as he sleeps in his recliner after his chemo treatments. “Look at the back! Those eagles and the waving flag…just beautiful.” Then his wife reminded him to look at the front. “It’s beautiful, too. Just beautiful.” His wife then added, “What you are doing is so special, and much appreciated.”


Submittedby Linda K

In Texas

** Just a little forwarning... you might need a tissue handy.... Just sayin' *

I was recently a speaker at the Golden Thimbles Quilt Guild in Conroe, TX. I issued a Challenge to the guild to sew for Quilts of Valor and gave the guild a red, white and blue quilt top (all cut and ready to sew) as a door prize to spark excitement. The president of the guild commented that she had already made two for members of her family but didn't elaborate. However, several days later, I received a Thank You letter from the president of the guild that included this poignant story.

(In her own words)...let me tell you the story of one, my Dad's Quilt of Valor: William R. B. Jr.

When my Daddy was going off to serve in the Army Air Corp in, as I remember 1941 or 1942, he was presented with the quilt I now call his Quilt of Valor. It was made by a lady who was a very dear friend who almost raised him in Montana. She made the blue quilt for him and she made another one for his brother Warren, as they were both enlisting at the same time and place. 

 Their quilts went with them through out their time from March Airfield Base in Southern California, then to San Francisco, then to Italy, Sicilly and France as he served his country. He was a mess sergeant in the midst of WWII. Thank God, no combat but he was near much war all around him.

I found an old messed up rag-tag quilt at the bottom of his closet a couple of years ago and I told him I'd try to resurrect this quilt for him. So, along came Quilts of Valor and that gave me the idea to re-present the quilt to him for his 90th birthday.... at Mom and Dad's 60th anniversary party in Fullterton, CA this past June.

I removed the backing as it had many, many holes in it, the binding, and what was left of the batting, which turned out was just a few bunches of big bunches! I washed the top gently for a week or so, and the top turned out pretty hardy....I fixed a few holes with my sewing machine...and put it back together with a Blue Indigo Batik, Better Cotton batting, and quilted it myself on my home Janome machine. It was beautiful and oh, so soft and warm for my sweet Daddy!

I have explained to over 100 people about Quilts of Valor and that my Daddy received his WWII Quilt of Valor long before there was such a program.

The other QOV that I made and presented was to my niece Allison's husband, Corporal Zack M., who had just returned from his third deployment to Afghanistan.

It's too bad that our boys, our husbands who served in Vietnam, didn't get the respect that the men and women are receiving today. But, as the Director of Piecemakers at my church, Mims Baptist Church of Conroe, I make sure that the quilts we give out are given to Vietnam veterans. They receive a quilt much like QOV designs.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Update: The ladies have accepted the challenge to sew for QOV from August through November, 2012 and their plans are to give them to me at the Houston International Quilt Festival, if possible. The NWHOUQOV group will be staffing a booth at Festival again this year.

Cynthia Chaffee

Regional Coordinator Region 4

Proudly sewing for Quilts of Valor

QOV float in the Round Up Parade

This is what we were up to on Saturday here in Pendleton. Our float for
Quilts of Valor took 2nd place in it's division. Now after 2 2nd's we
have to fgure out how to get 1st next year. Karyn H. from our Ukiah group
joined us on the float along with my granddaughter Janie, my daughter
Karen G. and friends Derrick and Holly K. We shared information with many
during the 2 hour parade.

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Submitted by J Marie

Nebraska 4H and QOV

NEBRASKA 4-H donated 80 Quilts of Valor in a ceremony at the Nebraska
State Fair in Grand Island, NE on September 1, 2012. The QOVs were
constructed by over 200 4-H members and leaders in 44 counties across the
state. In addition to making Quilts of Valor, 4-H members also produced
public service announcements and presentations featuring QOV and QOVF.
The QOVs, which had all been displayed at local county fairs, were on
display in a special room during the entire duration of the State Fair.

Kathleen L, Associate Dean at the University of Nebraska's Institute of
Agriculture and Natural Resources commended the 4-Hers on their
achievements and thanked them for their community service; Dr L also
reminded attendees that in addition to the community service aspect of
QOVs, 4-H members also honed their math, science, design and project
planning skills while making their quilts. Phyllis S, Extension
Educator thanked the 4-Hers and applauded their efforts, noting that in
2012 the 4-Hers made twice the number of QOVs donated in 2011, the first
year of the 4-H QOV Challenge. Do we dare hope to double the number again
in 2013?????

Julia and Sara had the privilege of attending the ceremony and accepting
the quilts on behalf of the Foundation. After the conclusion of the Fair,
the QOVs will be displayed at the Fairbury, NE Quilt Guild and then
brought to our homes to be washed and prepared for distribution. All of
the 4-H QOVs have pillowcases and labels, and many have journals as well. 
We plan to distribute the NE 4-H QOVs to the Nebraska National Guard and
to destinations assigned by the QOV Foundation.

Regards
Sara K.
Central Midwest Region

Patriot's Day

Each year on Patriot’s Day (9/11), the students at Oakland Meadow School
in Lawrenceville, GA, with the help of their teachers, makes a Quilt of
Valor to be shared with our warriors.


Oakland Meadow is a public school for children with special needs, which
makes their desire to show their patriotism and to make a difference even
more awesome. 

This is the quilt that they made this year.   

This is the third year they have made and presented us with a quilt.  For the
first time they asked if they could give this quilt to the father of one
of their students.  He is a veteran of Iraqi Freedom and lost a leg in
service to his country. 


 If you don’t think there were a few tears that morning....  I was also delighted to see all police and firefighters who attended.  They brought their motorcycles and fire trucks and after the
program, the children had a fabulous time checking it all out!

submitted by Susan

Persimmon Quilts QOV Mystery

Leann over at Persimmon Quilts  Is starting her 26th Quilt of Valor Mystery!!! 26!!! That is amazing

I love her mysteries - they turn out really really neat -

So go check it out!!

Quilts of Valor Canada

Dear Quilts of Valor Foundation,

Today I received a quilt. Pieced by Winnie E from Elm Creek, Nebraska
and Quilted by Julie M   from Bellwine, Nebraska.

I can't put into words how moved I was by this tremendous act of kindness
and concern for Veterans!  I have recently returned from one year in Ramali,
Iraq where I worked with the women, widows, orphans and children of Iraq.

I have just completed a Womens Veteran's Retreat and this was the "icing on
the cake" of the experience!

I will treasure this gift and please know it will loved forever.  Please
know your hard work is so very much appreciated!!

It is in compassion and caring and creativity that women share their gifts
with each other! I value your kindness!

Women helping women is wonderful and a powerful force!!
Thank you again, so much!

Love and Blessings,


Christine.

A Thank you

Submitted by Susan G


Dear QOV Quilters:  I have been receiving quite a few notes from the
front lines recently in response to the quilts we have sent from this
region.  Today I received a handwritten note that I would like to share
with all of you.  These are Col. Y’s exact words:

                      13 July 2012
                      Dear Susan & Quilters,

                      This past Monday, 9 July, I was working at Bagram’s
Craig Joint Theatre Hospital.  I was examining a 44
y.o. National Guardsman who was in the ICU.
                      He was in his skivvies and cold.  A nurse brought
him a beautiful red, white, and blue quilt and your
card was attached.  I pulled the quilt over him and
                      took the card so I could write a Thank you in his
behalf.  He left that evening for Landstuhl Regional
Med Ctr, but your quilt will be with him until he
reaches home.
                      I know the many hours it takes for you to make these
quilts and I want to thank all of you for your
generosity and patriotism.


                      Gratefully
                      Col Richard Y


  We may never know just which quilt this young (young to me) National
Guardsman received, but every day the quilts you are making are covering
our wounded warriors and giving them both comfort and warmth at possibly
the most difficult time in their lives.  Thank you for your devotion to
our most worthy cause.  Every day when I count my blessings I think of
all of you and your talented hands and generous hearts.


  Susan

Moda Stars

Here is another lovely quilt made from the Moda Stars - Thanks Cynthia for sharing!!

Marine Corp Meeting

Lewis-Clark Quilts of Valor presented 6 Quilts of Valor at the monthly
Marine Corps League meeting.  One of the recipients was Sharon, now
retired, who was both a Vietnam and Dessert Storm nurse.   Sharon worked at
Walter Reed and seen the importance of our quilts.  She was deeply touch to
receive her quilt.


Stan had the honor of receiving an Al Lind quilt.  It was fitting for one
of members of this League to receive such a special quilt.  Most of the men
in this group are Vietnam Veterans.  They are a very active group in our
local community.  I find it uplifting to see men, as deeply wounded as they
have been, continuing to serve their fellow man with malice towards none.
They were the first to step forward and help with our QOV fundraising
projects.

I was honored, following the presentation, to be asked, along with my
husband, to be their Guest of Honor at their annual Marine Corps Ball this
year.  It was my turn to melt into a puddle of tears before them.  I love
these guys (gals).

--
Honoring those touched by war
Sharon L
Idaho Regional Coordinator
Quilts of Valor Foundation

Kingsley Field

 This was one of the most amazing and humbling days of my life. Cindy R. and Patti K and their husbands allowed me to join them in doing this presentation to a unit from Oregon recently
returned from doing security duty out side the Blue line. We presented 26
quilts.

Cindy R. did all of the foot work on this one for us and kept up a
running communication with the coordinator until they finally gave in and
allowed us to share in their demobilization ceremonies.

Cindy was able to give her quilt to the soldier who was her inspiration to
gather these quilts and Patti gave her first QOV ever away. She is
jumping in with both feet and presenting 17 more quilts at the early hour
of 7:00am on the 3rd of August at the same post, she will have a helper in
Shantelle another of our Oregon QOV'ers.



Thank-you all for your dedication to QOV.

Still quilting to comfort thos who help to keep us free.

--


Submitted by
J. Marie N.

QOV Coordinator for Oregon

Upper Midwest Show

Quilts of Valor presented at Upper Midwest Show in Oconomowoc, WI

On August 1 and 2, 2012, a total of 14 QOV were presented to 12 Viet Nam vets, 1 Iraq vet, and 1 WWII vet at the MQT Upper Midwest show held at the Olympia Resort in Oconomowoc, WI.  The show was opened with a color guard of Viet Nam vets who were welcomed home by Jim Simons, show manager and QOV recipient.

At the Thursday night event, more Viet Nam vets, including my brother, were honored along with our mobile cam operator, an Iraq vet, and two were presented in absentia to a 100 year old WWII vet and another Viet Nam vet.

Photos courtesy of Jessyka Darke Photography

Color guard presentation

Proud to present a quilt to my brother, Tom Klossner, 826^th Ordinance

Dan Novak accepting a QOV on behalf of his brother-in-law, presented by Jim Simons

Submitted by Karen D