This week (in German fashion, my calendar week starts on Monday) I had the opportunity to accompany my father to a lovely event honoring local veterans. It was hosted by the Daughters of the American Revolution – Katy Chapter and the Quilts of Valor Foundation – Montgomery Lone Stars Chapter.
My father is a 34 year veteran of the United States Coast Guard. He was one of seven veterans honored this week with the gift of a quilt. The quilts, all red, white, and blue, are beautiful masterpieces each sewn with thoughtful details. The quilt my father received has quilting stitches in the shapes of hearts with stars inside of them.
The foundation began in 2003 when Catherine Roberts had a dream. Her son was deployed in Iraq and she dreamt she saw a young man sitting holding his head on the side of his bed. Catherine recalls feeling his despair. Then she a new scene, where he was wrapped in a quilt. He was hopeful and happier.
The message of that dream was: Quilts = Healing.
Quilts of Valor was formed and in its 23 years, 439,566 quilts have been sewn for veterans across the country.
The honorees at the event served in duty stations ranging from Vietnam to Kuwait to Afghanistan to the border. They served in the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, and Coast Gard. Some served on air craft carriers and submarines, some were medics and two were married to each other. To see more pictures of the quilts and honorees, click here.
The Montgomery Lone Stars Chapter is based in Conroe and was formed in 2021 and since then they have sewn over 500 quilts. For the 250th birthday of the United States they are attempting to sew 250 quilts. They’ve awarded 110 so far.
If you know a veteran you’d like to see honored, consider nominating them to receive a quilt. Visit the QOV website to learn who is eligible to receive a nomination: https://www.qovf.org/nominations-awards/
