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!  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.

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.

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.

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

   

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

 

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.

 

This is opening the bundles and getting everything set up.

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

  The 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. 

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.

 

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!!

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.

This Soldier had his family with him this day. 

  

The Soldiers formed ranks for the meeting.

 

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

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.

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

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.

 

 

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

As I said, wonderful friends were made!!

 

  More later!