The North Central Quilts of Valor group presented quilts on Nov. 8, to four area veterans at Tonasket High School. They are from left, Richard J. (U.S. Marines), 1965-1969, Ronald L. (U.S. Navy), 1971-1992, Linda F. (U.S. Air Force), 1971-1973, and James M. (U.S. Navy), 1959-1965. (Courtesy of North Central Quilts of Valor via Quad City Herald)
(Tribune News Service) — Several local veterans were awarded Quilts of Valor in recognition of their military service on Monday in New Baltimore, Mich.
The Bay Area Quilters group of Quilts of Valor presented the awards to 20 veterans at Lempke-Blackwell VFW Post 7573 following the annual Veterans Day ceremony at city hall. Each recipient was wrapped in a handmade quilt, meant to offer comfort and gratitude for their sacrifice.
“Every service person has put their life on hold and some in danger to keep us free,” said Jennifer Mohr, a founding member of the local chapter and its spokesperson. “The sacrifices they put in the line for each and every one of us is amazing. We make quilts and feel that if we can comfort them, then they know we care and are thinking of them.”
In its first year, the local group has awarded 30 Quilts of Valor. The group’s mission is to get as many veterans wrapped and awarded with a quilt, Mohr said.
“We decided to start this group to get more veterans in our community awarded and wrapped in quilts,” she said. “So surprising that so close to Selfridge there wasn’t a chapter in (the) New Baltimore area yet.”
Each quilt can take up to 60 hours and cost up to $300 to make. Recipients are especially touched by the effort that goes into handcrafting them.
“Most veterans get choked up or ask, ‘Why me?’” Mohr said. “To actually be given something that takes so much time to put together, they are touched to receive it. Then there are times when in a group, the veterans cheer each other on.”
The nonprofit, Iowa-based Quilts of Valor Foundation began in 2003. A Quilt of Valor is intended as an award to service members and veterans who have been touched by war, offering the message: “Thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation.” Quilts of Valor must reflect the best possible workmanship and use of quality materials, as well as follow other guidelines.
The Bay Area Quilters chapter was started on Veterans Day in 2023 and currently has 15 members. Those interested in joining are welcome to contact the group. Veterans can be nominated for a Quilt of Valor by contacting the local chapter.
Veterans Day honors all who have served the country in war or peace, dead or alive, although it is largely intended to thank living veterans for their sacrifices, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. It was originally called Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I. At the urging of veterans service organizations after World War II and the Korean War, Congress amended the commemoration by changing the word “armistice” to “veterans” so the day would honor American veterans of all wars.
For more information or to donate to the Bay Area Quilters group, visit the “Quilts of Valor / Bay Area Quilters” page on Facebook or qovf.org, or email bayareaquilters@gmail.com.
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