Aug

25

BLANKETS OF HOPE

Filed Under American Patriotism, Quilts of Valor 

  purple-heart-pictures-006          “QUILTS OF VALOR PROJECT”

 During the Purple Heart National Convention we passed a table of women busily sewing and constructing several incredibly beautiful red, white, and blue patriotic quilts. Turns out, these ladies have made and sent to military hospitals throughout the United States and overseas over 415 quilts. The national Quilts of Valor Organization has provided over 17,000 quilts. Frankly, I was stunned by this number given the time, money, and effort that goes into making a hand sewn quilt. Wow!

For that reason, I thought our readers might find it interesting to know some of the facts regarding such a worthy organization.  (PS – they greatly need and accept donations to help defray the personal cost and postage for each quilt and quilter). The following information is taken from a brochure given to me by Donna Roche, the Arkansas QOV Coordinator (e-mail diva@mc2k.com)

The Quilts of Valor is our “Purple Heart Award” for service, sacrifice and valor of combat wounded soldiers. It is our way of saying “Thank You for your service, you have not been forgotten.” Numerous people are involved in making the quilts, from contributing quilt blocks, finishing the tops, and then quilting them. Each quilt receives a “Quilt of Valor” label thanking the injured warrior for their dedication and sacrifice. The label contains the name of the maker and the quilter.  Sometimes the soldier will send a letter of thanks like the one below:

“My QOV not only keeps me warm when I am cold, it keeps my heart warm too. I’m twenty-four, a husband and father. This may seem childish, but when I get scared with memories of war, I curl up in the quilts and everything goes away. It makes me and the hundreds of wounded I’ve seen feel better knowing there are people in the States that care about us and what we do.”

The Cost of each quilt:

Quilt top                                    $55

Batting                                       $15

Quilt Backing                             $40

Binding & Notions                     $10

Pillowcase                                 $  5

Shipping w/Insurance                 $10

Total for making a QOV       $135

 

The following poem is dedicated to these amazing women and their loving selfless efforts.

  

BLANKET OF HOPE

Blanket of Hope

Covers my wounds,

Keeping me safe

In this far from home room.

 

Blanket of Hope

Surrounding my heart,

Keeping me sane

When I’m falling apart.

 

Blanket of Hope

Sewn by love’s hands,

With patience and kindness

Compassion commands.

 

Blanket of Hope

As tears fill my eyes

Brings me closer to home

When morning arrives.

 

Blanket of Hope

With deep gratitude

My words can’t express

A way to thank you.

 

 

 

Janet J. Seahorn,  Ph.D

August, 2009

In honor of the Quilts of Valor Organization

Donations are greatly needed and accepted to help continue this amazing, healing mission.

http://www.qovf.org

or Donna Roche, diva@mc2k.com

Comments

One Response to “BLANKETS OF HOPE”

  1. Salas, Marti R. on September 23rd, 2009 12:25 pm

    Hi,

    Just thought you would be interested to know that we at the Cheyenne VA get QOV from different quilting groups, and we hand them out to our returning combat veterans. These quilters do wonderful work, and are always asking what else can they do to help. Our veterans are always very moved and thankful when they get the quilts. It is a wonderful organization!

    Marti Salas, LCSW

    OEF/OIF Program Manager

    VISN 19 Lead Program Manager, POC

    Cheyenne VAMC

    307-778-7550, ext 7068