Monday, May 17, 2010

St James quilters meet

The St. James Quilters met on Tues., May 11.  The three of us that made the trip to Fort Knox were anxious to share our experiences and answer questions. We talked a lot, and then opened our box of fabric from Hancock's of Paducah.  That was like Christmas and got our creative juices flowing!  We are very thankful to Hancock's. 

We had a laptop computer available, so we were able to view a slide show of the pictures we brought, and share more details of our trip.

There was some "show and tell" of quilts that were made the week of the trip.  Also, one of our girls that winters in AZ was back, and she brought several completed quilts.  She is our scrap artist, and can make a complete quilt of tiny pieces of fabric.  Nothing goes to waste! 

You may wonder.....but we really did have time to sew!!

Tomorrow, May 18, some of our group will travel to Perham to spend the day sewing with them. There will surely be some Fort Knox stories, good friends, and food. 

We feel so blessed, and know for sure that our cup has been filled to overflowing!

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May quilts 2010 007 Just a little show and tell.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

We are back at it

  The Fergus Falls QOV group met Friday May 14 just one week after returning home.  Stories were shared and hearts touched. 

For those of you that don’t know the process that our quilts go threw I will give you a short run down.  This is the journey of a typical QOV quilt.

Someone will choose a pattern, fabric to make it and then they will cut out the quilt top.  The pieces that she has cut will go into a zip lock bag along with the pattern, a label to be signed by the person that sews the top, fabric to sew a pillow case and the pattern needed.  These kits are placed on a table, people stop in and pick up these kits to take home to sew or they can spend some time with us sewing.  When completed the tops and pillow cases are returned to be packaged once more.  This time the batting and backing fabric will be added and they will be placed into a larger bag.  Our volunteer machine quilters then take the tops to be quilted, they sign the label and return the package.  They are then trimmed, the binding is machine sewn on the front of the quilt along with the label and then the binding is sewn to the back of the quilt by hand.  When the quilt is all done they are folded and placed into the pillowcase that goes with the quilt.  At this point the handwritten card is added.  10 quilts are placed into large clear bags, they are now ready to be sent for distribution.  Lots of hands touch one quilt!

Following are a few pictures of our workday and also just a few of the quilts that were finished on Friday.

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Thanks for your interest! 

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Saturday-Our return home

It’s amazing, we are a chipper group considering the long days.  It is fun to hear the laughter and to see the friendships grow.  We were once again on the road by 7am.  We drove to Albert Lea where we were once again the guest of an American Legion group.  We enjoyed a wonderful Brunch and shared information about what we do and also showed them a few quilts.

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100_1231 Once again we were treated great. 

 

Back on board the bus we went and off to Cannon Falls for a little shopping before the final trip home.  I have to share a picture of our coach drivers.  Kenny and Lonnie were wonderful.  It was a joy to have them with us.  Thanks guys!!  You helped make the trip great!

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We were welcomed home by our loved ones, and we did manage to bring the sun with us!

Well it is back to reality for us.  Cloths to wash and things to put away jobs to go to, but I believe we are all different people because of this trip.  We knew what we were doing was important, but now we have seen for ourselves the difference a quilt and a note can make to a hurting Soldier.  Their faces and stories will stay with us, to inspire us in our day to day lives.  The following was posted at the Legion in Albert Lea,  it is true for our Quilts of Valor groups too.  You are welcome to join us any time. 

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We will continue to use this blog to inform you about our groups.  We will be posting pictures of quilts that we have done and information about meeting dates ect.  I am sorry we didn’t have more pictures of the quilts but we were outside and opening the quilts was a little difficult.  I hope you have enjoyed reading about our mission and that you will keep our Soldiers in your prayers.  There is much healing to be done both of the body and spirit.  We will continue to make quilts to wrap them in our love. 

Saturday and still going

I would like to fill in a few things from yesterday, the eyelids just wouldn’t stay up last night and the brain wasn’t working so well either!

 

Everywhere we go there are opportunities to talk about QOV.  While wondering around at the Amana Colonies we ran into a gal from South Dakota that was involved in QOV at home!!   The coach has had tons of pictures taken of it all by it self!  The gals setting by the windows when we are going down the road are having great fun watching peoples reactions as they read the side.  We have gotten thumbs up and seen people clap their hands after seeing the writing on the side.   

We were asked to stand at the play, we talked to people at the intermission.  If you didn’t know, you didn’t send out a shy bunch especially when we get to talk about what we are doing!  It will be great fun to see what opportunities present themselves today!!!

 

I want to take a minute to THANK the people of Otter Tail County.  We have had wonderful support from you. I think the Perham group has been going for 5 years, the Fergus group almost 3 years and St James for 2 years, the quilts that took to Ft Knox were not the first or only quilts that we have made.  You have supported us and helped to fund our project for quite some time.  This mission that we have taken on was started long before the trip came about and it will continue until there is no need for them. 

 

Our mission is to cover each and every Soldier that has been physically and emotionally wounded in the war on terror!  This is the Quilts of Valor mission and this is our mission.  We will continue to meet and make quilts.  In fact within two weeks all of the groups will have met and the quilts will be being produced again. As they are finished they will be bagged and mailed out to hospitals and forts to be distributed.   Thank you for enabling us to do what our hearts call us too.

 

The day starts new – what will happen today?    We look forward to seeing. 

Have a good day wherever you are!

Friday, May 7, 2010

Friday is almost over

It’s a late night post, well I guess it only feels late if you have been up and running on high for this many days. 

We headed out this morning at 7am and drove until lunch.  We ate and were back on the road.  Our destination was the Amana Colonies In Amana Iowa.  I had never been here and didn’t really know anything about the Colonies.  It was very interesting.  It was a German religious group that settled in Iowa.  They were a closed group, kind of like the Amish, but they believed that technology was a gift to be used.  The Microwave was actually invented in the Amana Colonies.  In the 1930’s the group became a corporation and the members each received shares.  They had quite a bit of industry.  Today the Colonies let people that aren’t members live in the area but they do not receive shares.  It was very interesting and we wished we would have had more time to learn about this area of our countries history. 

 

We spent a couple of hours on our own and then enjoyed a delicious family style meal.  After eating we headed to The Old Creamery Theatre and enjoyed a play called Everybody Loves Opal.  We have just checked into our rooms and plan on being on the road by 7:00 am tomorrow. 

 

By the way, we were hoping to bring the warm weather back with us, it doesn’t look like it will happen.  We have dug out our sweatshirts once again.

It has been a really good trip.  We have made friends and memories that will last a life time. 

We are stopping at the American Legion in Albert Lee, MN tomorrow morning where they will serve us brunch and we will share with them about Quilts of Valor and our trip.  We are then doing a little shopping before heading home.  We are planning on being in Underwood, MN at 6pm tomorrow night.

Sorry no pictures today. 

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Is it Thursday Already

The days are blending. We had to convince someone tonight that it was Friday tomorrow.  It took some talking to convince her.  Time is going very fast, even though we are using a lot of the day.  The mornings have been early and we tend to talk until we can’t any more.  Who would have thought?!

 

Here is a picture of the Coin of Excellence that we each received looks like.

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We were also presented with the Commander’s Award For Excellence.

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Our conversations keep circling back to yesterday and the wonderful Soldiers that we met.  Remembering brings both joy and tears.  Some of the stories were so hard to imagine.  Being mom’s and grandma’s we want to comfort and support each and every one we met.  We can only imagine how challenging it is for the Soldiers and their families not only to be separated but also to be worrying about their safety.  Please if you know a Soldiers wife give her a hug!  Yesterday a gal came up and was looking at the quilts, she had a little boy with her and a husband close by. The husband, the Soldier, stood back with a baby that didn’t stay in his arms for long with so many grandmas around.  As I chatted with his wife about the quilts, I asker her how she was doing.  A simple question.  She looked at me and the tears started.  She said her husband had been in the service for 8 years and she thought that this was the first time in 8 years that she had been asked.  A hug was in order!  We need to take care of our Soldiers families so they can take care of themselves while they are go.

One of the officers told us that both he and his brother came home before their unit from Afghanistan and so his father picked them up at the Airport.  There was no welcome home ceremony to great them.  He said that the quilts given was a lasting sign of Welcome and Thanks.  He also felt that as a lasting cymbal, that they would help with the closure of returning to a different life.  Let’s pray that that is the case.

 

The stories are many, the respect for these men and women grows every time we tell the stories.  Please ask the gals that went about their experiences.  It is so hard to express the things we experienced.  Thank you to all that have served in the Armed Forces, you are our HEROS!

 

This morning was the first time the wheels didn’t turn on time.  I was posting and you can’t rush a computer.  They graciously waited for me.  As it turned out things are meant to be.   A few gals thought they would make a quick trip to Hancock fabrics (a very large, well known store, kind of like Cabalas)  which is about 2 blocks away, making it back in time to take the bus downtown.  Wearing the QOV shirts that were made for the Underwood Legion/Lions benefit (by the way they have been the best conversation starters ever!  We have even washed them out so we can wear them more!)  Anyway – The conversation started with the clerk about our trip and our day at Ft Knox yesterday.  The clerk asked if the girls had business cards.  Being good girls they pulled out their cards.  The clerk said that management was in a meeting but she would give them the cards.  Next thing they knew Justin Hancock came out and introduced himself.  The girls said they excitedly told him about our mission and our adventure.  What amazed them was that he listened so attentively (we can get a little excited when we get to talking about our week,  just a little!) making them feel like he really cared.  He asked how he could help.  They said they looked at each other and each one said “Fabric”.  He in turn gave us 4 box’s of fabric to be used for QOV.  Thank You Justin, Thank You Hancock family!!

 

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We then went to the National Quilt Museum here in Paducah.  We were once again interview and entertained by Quilt Man.  As quilters we enjoyed ourselves.

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100_1154 Do you think we took lots of pictures! 

We toured the museum, sorry we couldn’t take pictures, you will have to take our word that they were works of art.  We went exploring and met back at the Museum for a picture at 12:40.  When we got there the gentleman in the picture happened to choose today to bring a quilt top his mother had made but was unable to finish to the Museum to see if they would help him find someone that would finish it and give it a good home.  We were honored to accept the quilt to be finished and given to a deserving Soldier for them. 

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Read the words on the wall.  This picture was taken by the Museum director for us.

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100_1183 This is what happens when you are late for the bus!

100_1184 We couldn’t stand it, we had to open 1 box of fabric!  Thank You again!!!

100_1191 I just realized that some of you might not know what the labels on our quilts look like.  Please enlarge it and read the poem, it often brings tears.  Following is the card that goes with each quilt.

100_1194 100_1195 These are all hand written and signed by as many of our workers as we can get on the day the quilts are packed. 

 

We are off early tomorrow so I wish you a good day.  By the way we have been blessed with beautiful sunny days.  Someone said 80’s yesterday and it felt like it today! 

We are hoping to bring nice weather home with us. 

Fort Knox in our Hearts

Were to start-   This is a shot of a few of the bikers that we picked up.  At one point we were sure they were risking their lives stopping traffic so we didn’t stop at lights or stop signs.   These men and one women along with the other riders during the trip became respected and loved for what they do.  I think several were adopted and wouldn’t be surprised to see them back in MN!  100_0965 100_0963 They road in front of the Coach (remember the fine) and behind.

 

Entering Ft Knox, Jenny was asked if there was anyone on the bus that shouldn’t be.  She laughed afterwards that someone could have had an interesting day if she hadn’t felt so nice!  (The milking contest bragging is still going on).  We were met at the gate by Florence, she is the Command Sgt Majors assistant.  There were Soldiers waiting and they unloaded our quilts.

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We had hoped pile up the bags to show you what 610 quilts look like, but by the time we turned around they were done.  I will try and describe it.  Each square bundle you see is 10 quilts each in a pillowcase.  The bags have be vacuumed to about a 2’ cube.  Two bays in the bus were full of these cubes.  We joked that if the shrink wrap gave out the floor would move.

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You can imagine how many pictures we were taking, but I can tell you the people from the base did there fair share too!  Later in the day the Soldiers even got into the picture mode.

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Command Sgt Major Walters is in this picture along with the Patriot Riders. 

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We were formally welcomed and thanked.  This is the beginning. 

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Some information for you.  The soldiers in the units that we visited were Army Reserves and Guard members.  They were at Ft Knox in the Warrior Transition Unit.  This is were they receive medical care waiting for surgery, recovering from surgery, or are waiting to deploy or go home.  I talked to one Soldier that would be there for a year, he needed back surgery and then had to recover.  (more stories latter)

We were given a tour of the 2 companies and explained the services that were available for them.  Being Soldiers in order to qualify for pay they have to be in active duty, in school or in training of some sort.  These men and women are not setting around feeling sorry for themselves.  They are working to get healthy so they can “do what they do”.  They also receive financial counseling, help in learning how write resume with there military experiences add in as skills, and off course schooling.  There were numerous other services that they could take advantage of, these services were also available to their families back home.  Our technology is so wonderful.

 

Back to some pictures!  This is a picture of a coin that each Soldier receives.  It is a Chaplains Coin.  The Chaplain presented each of us with one.

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This is opening the bundles and getting everything set up.

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 100_0997 The Soldiers slowly trickled in as there were many things going on and they had meeting, appointments ect.

100_0998  100_0999The Soldiers are presented a Quilt with a pillowcase, along with a hand written card.  Each quilt has a label the is personalized with there name and date. 

100_1001 100_1002 100_1004 Several of the Soldiers got to meet the quilters that worked on their quilt.  They were very tentative to start not really knowing what to think.  They felt they were “Just doing their job” and were very humble in receiving our small thank you.  It was so much fun to watch the Soldiers try to pick out a quilt for themselves. Some walked in an knew instantly which one they wanted, others looked a sever finally making the right choice.  The personality of the quilt fit each Soldier.  Girls you did good when you made each on!  One gentleman was there early and had ties from Mankato MN. He asked if we would have a Loon quilt.  He went to a meeting and when he got back there was a quilt with Loons on it waiting for him.  Another was looking around and spotted a string quilts with fabric in it with states names.  Nebraska was one of them and he snatched it up.  It was made for him.  A gal loved purple, a man was from Georgia and one had oranges and bright colors,  It was definitely ment to be!!  These quilts were made in advance for Soldiers that would be there.100_1005 100_1007 100_1006

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The last picture was a husband and wife team.  She works on base and was a wonderful help to us.  We feel like we have made life long friends and will never forget the people that we have met.  Thanks to all of the helpers – You are Wonderful!!

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100_1018 This young man, returned after receiving his quilt and presented the gal that gave it to him with a coin.  He said it was a piece of metal that can be replaced but his quilt would be cherished. 

 

Lots of times the Soldier would take his or her quilt and leave and latter return with a friend, wanting to make sure that they receive one.  One gal told of helping a Soldier pick out his quilt and chatting with him while doing so.  She said she got teary when she presented it to him.  He told her “ That he was going to go to his room and there he would shed his tears”.  There were stories of men and women on 3rd and 4th tours.  Stories and pictures of wives and children at home.  I found it very interesting that when asked it seemed like the majority had Military experience for several generations in there families.  To have lived seeing the sacrifices made in your family and then to decide to make the same sacrifices in your life is both generous and heroic.  They are the kind of people that see a need and step up without waiting to see if someone else will first.

At about 2:00 we went to the “Town Hall Meeting” .  It is a time when the Soldiers get together and have an opportunity to get information and also get questions answered about many different things.  We were honored with a picnic and another opportunity to make sure that all of the Soldiers received a quilt.  We loaded up the quilts in the bus and off we went to a very nice park.

100_1025 100_1026 This Soldier had his family with him this day. 

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The Soldiers formed ranks for the meeting.

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During the meeting we were introduced and Jenny was given a framed certificate of appreciation. 

100_1078 Notice the flag is backwards.  The Stars are won close to your heart and when you look in a mirror it is the right way.

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We ate and went back to the important work, getting the Soldiers their quilts!

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100_1064 Notice our “Coach” driver Ken, he was wonderful!  He helped open the quilts in the morning and

the Soldiers enjoyed giving him a hard time about driving a bus full of women.  One even hinted that he thought a tour of duty might be

easier! 

The following pictures are of Commander Sergeant Major Walters presenting his Coin Of Excellence to each of the quilters.  They are such a big

deal I don’t think I can explain it well enough.  They are given awarded for exceptional performance, going above and beyond ones duty.

They are presented in a handshake.  A Soldier receiving one would always carry it with them.  We are so very humbled with this honor.  Thank you.

 

 

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It is a small word.   This gal was reading names and asked a soldier about someone she knew with the same last name.

She knew him, his mom and his grandmother was like her 2nd mom, they spent time reminiscing.

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There was cake!  We then loaded the bus with quilts that were left and took them to be stored for distribution by the Chaplain when needed.

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As I said, wonderful friends were made!!

 

100_1096  More later!