Happy Holidays from Lori Kutch

Dear Quilts of Valor Community

Hard to believe another year has come and gone and the Holiday season is upon us. I am happy to share that life has been good to me and my family this year. My daughter graduated from nursing school and landed a full time job! Her future is bright. She is on her own and building a new life for herself and her children. My husband and I are doing the dance of joy and enjoying our once again empty nest and a bit more flexibility and free time.

It is my wish for you and yours to have all the warmth and blessings this season has to offer and may you have a bright and happy new year.

My gift is one of my Grandmother’s favorite cookie recipes.

Grandma D’s Molasses Oatmeal Cookie

            1 ¼  cup sugar

½ cup melted shortening

2                   2 eggs

6                   6 Tbls. Molasses

1                   1¾ cup sifted flour

       2 cups quick cooking oats

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp salt

1 cup raisins

½ cup chopped nuts

Mix all ingredients together. Drop by teaspoonful on a cookie sheet sprayed with non stick cooking spray. Bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

Happy Holidays

Lori Kutch

Deputy Director

Home Maching Quilt Show

Wanted to share on your site if you would put the HMQS ( Home Machine Quilt Show ) link on your site. Since I have been working it. they selected theme Star Spangle, and Quilts of Valor is being featured. Not just a booth, but we are out front for the world to see. with special exhibit and challenge. Been working with June Moore on this.

here is the link.
http://www.hmqs.org/

~Diane Jaeger

Thank You

I have been meaning to write to you for months. Last year I requested a quilt for my Dad, Henry Warren, who had served in WWII. When he received it he said he felt unworthy of such a beautiful gift, and wanted to return it to the person who made it! I had to convince him to keep it. January 1st he left his condo on a journey from nursing home to assisted living to nursing home, all within six months. At the assisted living facility he fell in love with that quilt. It was on his bed always. At his last destination on earth, a wonderful nursing home, he often commented on how beautiful it was and how much he appreciated it. He died June 23 with that quilt over him. I have it here with me, and won't even have it cleaned. It was a constant in his last few months and I am so grateful to you for opening that spot in his heart to reflect on his service to his country and that he was appreciated for that service. Thank you from the depths of my heart.

Prior to Dad's quilt, I had requested one for a very dear friend, an Iwo Jima survivor, Gordon Ward pictured above. I gave that to him a year ago Father's Day and he was so very moved by that quilt...as we all were. Barely able to stand, he managed to do so, sang to me the Marine Corps hymn while saluting, and we all cried while he wrapped himself in that quilt. Gordon died four days before my father did. It was a terrible week in June this year.

But your QOV made a difference in the lives of two old veterans, and I apologize for not writing this sooner.

Thank you so much for what you do. So much work and dedication from so many nationwide! The beauty that is shared by many...near and far...all ages...God bless you.

Susan Warren

11th Welcome Home Initiative retreat for Veterans - Greenwich NY

Welcome Home........

Here in the beautiful countryside of Greenwich NY we are preparing for the 11th Welcome Home Initiative retreat for Veterans (13th if you count the ones we held in Colorado and Ohio ) to be held at Christ the King, Spiritual Life Center.
At this retreat we will award every Veteran with a Quilt of Valor, as we have done at all the other retreats in the past and this gift from those of you who care so much about our Heroes will play a huge part in the healing process of the wounded hearts,minds and spirits of those attending, all of whom have suffered great trauma in combat. Thank you to everyone who have provided all the wonderful quilts we award....covering our Heroes with love and letting them know they are welcomed home and their service yo us and to our Nation is appreciated..
If you know a past or present member of the Military who would like to attend one of our retreats please contact us.....
www.CtKCenter.org/welcomeHome
--
Meryl Dawes

Article From September's Newsletter - Reg. 3 Thank You's

Read more at http://www.qovf.org/Pdf_Files/2011/september.11.newsletter.pdf

Region 3 Reminds us why we make QOV’s
Whether you receive an actual Thank You note or not, your QOV makes a difference! These thank you’s were collected and shared by Sheila Gaub, Region 3, Wyoming/Montana.

Just four short years ago we “jumped on the wagon” to help cover our warriors with the comfort of quilts. We have been able to cover 201 from the state of Montana, and word has just been received that a group of quilters from Wyoming just finished 38 quilts - they are really stitching up a storm.

I would like to share some of the “thank you” notes we have received:


From a mother who was privileged to deliver a QOV to her son: “I was able to hand deliver the quilt. He was very appreciative of it. He and his wife were amazed at all the detail there is. It was fun to be there to give it to him and to spend time with him and his family. Thanks again.” E. A.


“Hello, my name is J. M. I was wounded by a half dozen grenades in Afghanistan on Sept. 29th (2010). During the course of my movement back to the states I received a quilt made by your chapter. This quilt didn’t get framed or displayed on a wall. Your quilt kept me warm. Your quilt was used. Since I have returned home, your quilt is kept in a cabinet with other blankets where my family uses it nearly every night . . . for snuggling. Thank you for such a warm addition to my home and my heart. J, B & P M.”

“Dear Quilts of Valor: I’m sending back this post card to tell you how much I appreciate the things you do. I was recently injured in Iraq and medevac’d to Germany where I received your quilt. Having the ramp drop off the plane, and being introduced to Germany’s 50 degree cold and rainy mornings, I was freezing. A lot different than the 130 degrees I’ve been used to. Your quilt gave me warmth and comfort in an extremely cold and stressful time in my life. Thank you? Love, J. B.”


“Thank you for your dedication to assisting others in matters large and small. We all serve in many ways and by a variety of means, applying our own insights to the needs of others. Thank you for the love and care that you and your team put into the Quilts of Valor. Yesterday, I received the quilt you sent and it’s beautiful. It reminds me of many things – but most of all the sense of support by people that care. Thank you! Warmest Regards – Dave”


From Landstuhl Regional Medical Center:

“To all those who have been sending gifts to our wounded warriors:

I am writing to thank you for supporting America’s sons and daughters who are making hard sacrifices for our precious freedom. Your donations provide both comfort and encouragement for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and their family members that come to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and Ramstein Air Force Base. Your generosity makes it possible for us to assist these wounded warriors and their families...and your gifts enhance the holistic healthcare we provide for all those who proudly perform their sacred duty.

What you have given blesses these precious men and women. I want to thank you for your caring and compassionate service to all those who serve their country so well.

Blessings and peace, Chaplain M., Wounded Warrior Ministry Center”


Email message from CPT B.:

“I work in Germany at Landstuhl ICU. Chaplain G. was so kind to donate some beautiful quilts to our wounded soldiers from your organization and I just wanted to say thank you and to all the wonderful people supporting our troops!! I am the QOV representative for the Intensive Care Unit. This is such a wonderful thing that you and the organization do and all of the soldiers are so appreciative and feel such gratitude. God Bless you and yours for what you do.”


“It is with my most sincere feelings of gratitude that I thank you and the members of the Quilts of Valor – Montana Chapter for the beautiful quilt. This gift is such a blessing and I will never forget what you have done for me. I pray that God will bless you abundantly and I hope I will have the opportunity to thank you face to face. Take care and God bless. Sincerely, MH”


“Just wanted to let you know the quilts are coming in. They are so beautiful, and the care & love that goes into each one is evident to any who see them.” (Message from a Chaplain’s Assistant at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany)


“Hey! I just wanted to say thank you for the quilt. It is very pretty & comfortable. I appreciate everything.” Sincerely – Stephanie


Via email: “Hello, my name is James and I am a Senior Chief Petty Officer Navy SEAL who was injured. On the night of July 9th I was shot in a gunfight with Taliban forces in Afghanistan. During my medevac, I received a quilt made by the Sheridan, MT Chapter of your organization. Last night I arrived home after 9 surgeries and a few weeks at the National Naval Medical Center Bethesda. I sleep with that quilt every night. I love it. The hands that made that quilt must be magic. Thanks to your organization and to the hands that put my quilt together for me. Here is a photo of me and my quilt. Again, thank you!”


“Thank you for the beautiful quilt. I will cherish it forever. Your gifts and card do mean a lot to all of us soldiers. I enjoy travel so who knows when I will come through Montana.” – PFC


“Our son was injured in Afghanistan on June 24th from an IED blast. He was flown to the military hospital in Germany and then transferred to Bethesda. He had lost both legs and suffered severe abdominal injuries and on July 10th he died from a very aggressive infection. We were able to be with him in Germany and in Maryland. While we were in Germany, Matt was given a beautiful quilt that was made by your group. We want to thank you for the beautiful quilt which we will treasure.” Sincerely – Matt’s parents


“Thank you for the quilt. It is very nice. I went to the Germany Hospital and picked it up. I am in the Army but I am a former Marine. So I really enjoy it. It is on my bed and use it every night. Thank you for supporting the troops. Thank you! 1SG A. D.”


“Thank you for the beautiful Quilt. It’s very comfortable. I appreciate what you are doing for me and the other wounded soldiers out there. It is nice to see there are people like you out supporting our Soldiers.”


“Thank you for the wonderful things you do!! I used your blanket when I was medevac’d to Germany. -- SGT S.”


“I would like to say thank you. Our Special Forces team had six Green Berets injured in an attack and we were given these quilts. They mean a whole lot to us and we appreciate it a whole lot. Thank you for thinking about us. Thank you so much. – A.


“Dear Quilters: We are medics here at Ramstein AFB in Germany and see many patients with your quilts on a daily basis. They look forward to heading home and sharing your loving gift. It means so much to know that they are receiving a gift of warmth from someone they’ve never met. Many thank from us, our troops and their families. – SSGT K. V. and SSGT E. T.”


Yes, Quilters, this is the reason we are still stitching. Keep up the wonderful work!