At The County Fair

From Lincoln, Nebraska

Monday night the 4H students of York held their Style Revue and Bed Turning. In addition to their clothing accomplishments, these young seamstresses completed 24 Quilts of Valor, that will be displayed at the country fair before being sent off to deserving veterans. 

This photo shows an inter generational Quilt of Valor, made by family members, as well as these two young girls. It was quilted by a grandmother's cousin. Joan is also a member of our Lincoln QOV group. 

Finally, our own long-armer, Julia, quilted seven of these 4H Quilts of Valor. Not only are these 4-H students developing life long skills, but also devoting their time to honor our vets. 

My Moment of Honor

Meet Les Page, our own QOV Volunteer Coordinator and his wife, Elaine, who is the Regional Coordinator for Virginia.  Les and Elaine are just two of many who volunteer for QOV, giving their heart and soul to this great organization. 

 Thank you to Les and Elaine for all you do for QOVF, and thank you to Michelle, a QOV recipient, it was our honor.

 

 

Elaine and Les received the following email from a thankful recipient of a QOV.  

Dear Elaine and Les,

As a 26-year military veteran, I thought I had maxed out my moments of honor. I worked for/with great leaders. I served side-by-side with talented, courageous Airmen. I led units and members to get the mission done. I trained with and briefed extraordinary, brave pilots. I had duty in just about each state, numerous countries, remote military sites and even Iraq. I was honored. 

After retirement I knew that I wanted to be able to write. I am now an intern with WHRO Public Media in Norfolk, VA. We came across what QOV does for veterans in Virginia and immediately thought it would be a great story to get out to the community. I was assigned to interview Elaine and Les Page, QOV Virginia Coordinators. What a wonderful couple! When interviewing them, such sincere patriotism, passion and just LOVE came across as they explained why they became involved in QOV. They explained in detail how each piece of fabric and each stitch are caringly assembled to form these endearing quilts to cover worthy service members and veterans. I was honored.

I was invited to one of their sew days to actually see the process in action. Elaine and Les with about 10 sewers gave me an inside peak into making these quilts. Each lady, and even a few gentlemen, eagerly told me how they became involved, what they contribute to QOV, and most of all their connection with the military. Supporting our veterans and thanking them for all they do and have done was no doubt the overall message each imparted. I was honored.

QOV not only creates these quilts, they also present them in a short but touching ceremony. As I finished up my notes with one of the sewers, Les got everyone’s attention in the room. He began by giving a short history of what QOV is all about. Then to my surprise he called me up to stand beside him and Elaine. He went on to read this beautiful QOV preamble. He then said, ‘Michelle, we are proud to present this quilt to you. Welcome home.’ I was surprised and overwhelmed to say the least. All my feelings of being proud to serve flooded over me. As they wrapped the quilt around me and hugged me as if I were one of their own family members, I knew they cared. I was honored!

Thank you Elaine and Les and all the QOV members for my moment of honor!

Michelle

This Is My Quilt of Valor

This is my Quilt of Valor. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My Quilt is my gift. It represents my service life. I will appreciate it, as it was made in appreciation of me. My Quilt, without being made with love and support, would be meaningless. Without love and support, my service is meaningless. I must keep my Quilt always. I must respect those who show respect to me. I must remember my time of service along with those who remembered me. I will... My Quilt and I know that what counts in serving our country is not the places we've gone, the things we've done, or the battles we've fought. We know standing for those in need makes it count. For them, we will stand... My Quilt of Valor is proud, as am I, because it reflects kindness found in American life. Thus, I will love it as a brother. I will love its wearing, its tearing, its patterns, its threads, its comfort, its true meaning, and its creators. I will keep my Quilt dear and close, even as I am held dear and close. We will become part of each other. We will... Before God, I thank my supporters. My Quilt and the military are symbols of the services dedicated to our country. We are the pride of the people who made us. We will hold the memories of our military service life. So be it, until we lay to rest and there is no enemy, but peace!

A Young 91

I had a delightful time this afternoon in Cody, Wyoming where I presented a QOV to a young man of 91 who served this country during WWII. He is home-bound due to failing health, has difficulty hearing, but knew why I was there and proudly received his quilt.

Two days ago I received the request via QOVF website from his daughter. I called her last night, made plans to make the award today as I had a doctor's appointment already scheduled in this community which is 2 hours from my home -- thus making timing of this request perfect to fit the award into my schedule! 

He was at home with his wife and one of his daughters present for this important event in their long lives. According to his wife, he has not be able to go on a Wyoming Honor Flight due to his health, nor has he been able (nor offered) any such honor as he has in receiving this quilt. He told me stories about joining the Coast Guard thinking he would be guarding the US coast. Instead he was shipped out of Seattle to Guadal Canal and Australia (among other areas) where he hauled, via tug boats, armaments and supplies to soldiers in place there. On one such trip through to Guadal Canal he experienced 3 bullets go whizzing past his ear, one after another, "but they didn't hit me," George exclaimed. He also was among those who picked up our soldiers' bodies from the Batan Death march. 

This family is so proud of their husband/father that they requested the local newspaper to come take photos and report on the quilt presentation. They also wanted Quilts of Valor to get some publicity! Bless their hearts!

I really enjoyed the hour or so I spent with this family. And it was even more special because it is so close to the 4th of July!

Have a wonderful Independence Day!

Stephanie
Stephanie Logan
Wyoming Coordinator