Wednesday at Fort Campbell

Everyone was up and on the bus early so we were off at 7:45 to Fort Campbell.  It was about a 1 1/2 hour drive.  We were met and led to the building were we distributed the quilt by FRSA Kerry Graef.  After getting the quilts unpacked and displayed Maser Sargent Cozad welcomed us to base and  told us a little bit about the base and the program.  Fort Campbell is actually in both Kentucky and Tennessee, it’s address is Kentucky because that is where the post office is.  We were presented with a certificate of appreciation from the base.  It says-
Your selfless service and commitment to the soldiers in transition is invaluable.  Your contribution, dedication, and compassion significantly impact the soldiers and families of the Fort Campbell Warrior Transition Battalion.  your actions reflect great credit upon your organization, the community and the United States Army.


This award goes to everyone that helped in any way to make this journey such a success.  Thank you quilters at home and the great people of Minnesota and North Dackota!!
We were each also presented with a pin from the Battalion.

We were then able to present Master Sargent Cozad with a quilt that he picked out.

I have been quizzing everyone on the bus about what stands out from their experiences and I hear time and time again how humble the soldiers are.  They find it hard to believe that we have brought these quilts from Minnesota to give to them without expecting payment.  We continue to assure them that it is a privilege to be able to thank them in this small way for all they do for us.
We actually met several soldiers that will be deploying again, one on Monday and others within 2 weeks.  Please pray for our soldiers.  They know what they will face and do it bravely.  One career soldier, a Vietnam veteran, commented that he was proud to see that the country was treating the soldiers from this war right, by showing their support no matter what you think about the war. 
Enjoy some pictures!



It was a smaller area but the soldiers came in a few at a time so we got a chance to visit with many of them.  The soldiers were from many different states and even Australia, and China.  It was fun to watch after they received there quilts is was very common for the soldiers to be on the phone texting or calling friends to come and see us.  One soldier had just received his quilt and was telling how his mom had taken a piece of fabric and tied knots in it saying a prayer for him with every knot.  He carried it in his breast pocket.  Since doing it for her son this mom and her friends have continued to make these cloths for the soldiers to carry as a reminder that many people are praying for them, they have made over 400.  After telling this story his mom called him (mom's know everything!) and he took pictures of the quilts and soldiers and sent them to her.

One Soldier said that he had received a quilt when he was first injured and was in the hospital but had worn it out with use, so he was so happy to have a new quilt to use to cover up with.
It made us think to talk to the soldiers that had gone into the service planning on it being a career and suddenly, due to injury's, they were no longer able to follow their dream and were now trying to figure out what life was going to be like as a civilian,  dealing with limitations from injuries they have received from serving out country.  Remember these soldiers and their families.

This next section is special for  Mark  in Kuwait.  His mom is on the trip and his wife and children are here at Fort Campbell.  It was a happy reunion!  Enjoy the pictures, we wish you a safe return.  Thank you for what you are doing for us!