In honor of our veterans on this upcoming Veteran’s Day, I thought I’d share with you some information about the Quilts of Valor Foundation. For those unaware, here’s a brief background from the Quilts of Valor website:

Blue Star mom Catherine Roberts, began the Quilts of Valor Foundation (QOVF) from her sewing room in Seaford, Delaware. Her son Nathanael’s year-long deployment to Iraq provided the initial inspiration, and her desire to see that returning warriors were welcomed home with the love and gratitude they deserved, provided the rest.

She hit upon the idea that linking quilt-toppers with machine quilters in a national effort could achieve her goal of cover all returning service men and women touched by war. These wartime quilts, called Quilts of Valor (QOV’s), would be a tangible reminder of an American’s appreciation and gratitude. Since 2003, QOVF has become a national grassroots community service effort, connecting the home-front with our warriors and veterans.

QOV’s are stitched with love, prayers and healing thoughts. Our troops who have been touched by war are awarded this tangible token of appreciation that unequivocally says, “Thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor.”

A Quilt of Valor is a generous lap-sized quilt (minimum of 55 X 65) made by a quilt-topper (the piecer) of quality fabrics and beautifully quilted by a longarmer. After it has been bound, washed, labeled and wrapped in a presentation case, it is ready to be awarded. Quilts are awarded at many different levels: they may go to military hospitals where Chaplains award them to service members; there may be awards of QOV’s to entire service units returning from deployments; they may be awarded at VA’s or awarded individually. But no matter how a Quilt of Valor is given, the impact it delivers is unequivocal. As one recipient said “My quilt isn’t another military medal to be placed in a box and sit on my shelf. I was moved to tears.” – SSgt RC, US Army, Iraq ‘05

Over the past two years we have been fortunate enough to honor both my dad for his service in the Navy during Vietnam, and the DW’s grandfather for his service in the Navy during World War II, with a Quilt of Valor. In both cases, the majority of the work was completed by my aunts – adding a unique specialness to the award.

As of last week, The Quilts of Valor Foundation had awarded just shy of 126,000 quilts since its inception. Anyone looking for more information on the program can visit the Foundation’s website at www.qovf.org.