From Cheri

What an experience this has been.  Blogging is easy right up until the bus hits a bump or you just do something stupid and the next thing you know, what you were writing gets posted.  Some things got out of place, etc, and for all that and the mistakes I have made I am sorry.  But what a trip this has been!  I will try to get some more pictures posted tomorrow.

While visiting the Intrepid Centers pool we observed a man doing a powerful, smooth breaststroke, lap after lap.  It was beautiful.  He was a double, above the knees, amputee.  This is just an example of what they describe as the 'new normal'.  He was just a Colonel doing his thing.  His thing to protect our freedom!  I am incredibly proud of each and everyone of them!

Thank you to the Community of Underwood, Minnesota, their American Legion Post 489 and their Lions
 Club for their phenomenal support.  I am humbled by their patriotism and their unending support for the QOV mission.  What an awesome community of givers!!  I love you and our QOV chapters!  Love you and bless you for your amazing support!!!!       Carol Olson

This last is from Carol Olson, wife of Mike, USA Ret.

FORT SAM HOUSTON      10/18/11      1500 Hrs.

What a privilegde it has been to meet and greet so many fine people on this our second delivering point.  The staff at the Wounded Warrior Family Support Center were receptive and gracious.  Hospitality is the 'gold standard' at this facility!  Soldiers and families come first.  Every soldier I came in contact with shared the sentiments of gratitude and appreciation for our mission.  Humble, sweet, tough, tenacious, humorous, are some descriptive terms that I noted about this group. 
It is important to note that the injuries these soldiers endure are not always visible.  A major who recently returned from deployment, stopped by to thank us but did not feel that he should receive a quilt because he was not wounded.  Any soldier will admit that these deployments sap ones mental well-being.  These are not easy.  I met a sargeant who was part of the Southern Command although currently serving in the Wounded Warrior Project.  He responds to disaster situations in South & Central America, Haiti earthquake, etc.  Our soldiers are serving in every part of the globe.  They are smart, professional, dedicated individuals who put themselves out there in unpleasant places to work.  You're away from family and friends, in a place that resembles the surface of the moon.  Hot as hades when its hot. And dry.  And sand everywhere!   This will be continued below.)

As were we touring the Intrepid building, we came upon an area with a mural of pictures above the windows.  I mentioned to the guide that a soldier from Perham was in rehab here.  She immediately said 'Lucas Schmitz'.  She pointed at one of the pictures with Lucas on it! They get to pick their own design for the prosthesis.  His was blue with stars all over it! What a great facility !    Net

Fort Sam-  While having lunch in the mess hall a medivac nurse stop at our table.She expressed to us how much the wounded warriors appreciate the time and effort put into making and delivering the quilts as they return home from the war zone. We appreciate remarks like that of course, but we are the ones, with these quilts, that are saying Thank You to our service men and women!

I was so amazed at the loyalty the injured soldiers had for their fellow soldiers while being separated from them.  A young man that I visited with was losing his sight from an undiagnosed problem.  When I offered to pray that a diagnoses and treatment would happen soon he said that he wasn't concerned about himself but for the squadron he had to leave behind.  Dee


 I spoke with a 23 year old soldier (only 2 years older than my grandson!).  He was recovering from a broken arm, shrapnal injuries, neck and spinal injuries.  He had been deployed three times and couldn't wait to go again!  When I sommented about how fast he had to grow up being in the service he replied, "our bodies sure do grow old fast!"          Doris

When we were passing out the quilts there was a tall soldier standing way off to the side.  I went over and taalked with him.  He didn't think that he was worthy of a quilt.  He spoke very quietly.  I explained that we had made one just for him. Then he started tallking.  He was so happy to pick out 'his' quilt.  It was a very patriotic quilt and talked about it quite a bit.  He left happy!   Jane

Fort Hood-  We were making our way back to the coach to leave and I say a young soldier walking by.  I asked her if she had gotten a quilt yet.  She didn't know what I was talking about and so I went back in and showed her.  I explained our mission of giving these quilts as a thank you for there willingness to serve for our country. She got a quilt and hugged me and as we hugged I heard the motor coach rev up and start backing up to leave.  I had to run and catch them but I know the drivers wouldn't leave me!    Cindy


San Antonio-- At a coffee shop, close to our hotel one night, the owner commented on our t-shirts. He said he had read about us in the paper a few days before.If some one reading this knows what paper that would have been, please let me know by putting it in the comment box.

While having dinner at The Cracker Barrel in Oklahoma City our waitress asked about our group.  We told her about out mission of delivering quilts to wounded soldiers at Fort Hood and Fort Sam.  She became very excited and told us that her boyfriend had received a quilt while he was in Walter Reed as a patient.  She thanked us profusely and with many hugs.  Later we saw her leaving the restaurant saying, "I'm going to tell my boyfriend that you were here!"

The last post before this one was from Adair

Fort Hood- I was talking to one of the soldiers, and in the course of our conversation, I said that he looked too young to have spent quite a few years in the service.  I asked him if he minded if I asked him his age and he told me and that his birthday was today!  All the ladies from QOV sang Happy Birthday to him!  That was very special!  I suppose that maybe I got too personal with some but they seemed to respond. 
Fort Sam-  One of the soldiers was telling me about the scars on his face and how they had to dig out pieces of metal.  They had actually healed very nicely so I just touched his face and said, "You really look very good and you have the most beautiful blue eyes."  He replied  "Its so kind of you to say that Ma'am."  (Everybody said  ma'am but with their southern drawl.)
Another young man was eating cake alone at a table so I took my cup of coffee over and asked if I could join him. We had a wonderful time talking and I invited him to come over after he was done and pick out a quilt.  Luckily, a bit later, I saw him standing over by the door, not knowing, I think, if he should come over to the table, so I went over to him.  I greeted him by his name, Brent.  He did  go over and pick out a quilt. We hugged!
I met another young fellow from Oklahoma and so I gave him a bad time about the rivalry between Nebraska, my home state, and Oklahoma.  It was all in fun and we both enjoyed the banter!

Spending time at Fort Hood and Fort Sam Houston with our wounded soldiers was a wonderful experience.  They were eager to share about their injuries, loyalties and eagerness to return to active duty with or without a missing limb! They were so grateful to receive a quilt and we were happy to give!   Katie

More Quilters' Stories!

Fort Sam-  I spent about three hours handing out quilts at the Warrior and Family Support Center.  I met a lot of wounded soldiers and some family members.  They were all so grateful and appreciative of what we were doing.  Some of the soldiers were more willing to tallk than others.  One fella in his thirties stands out in my mind.  Before this, in a tour of the center, Mr Wolf, the coordinator, told us how important it is that the soldiers get out of their rooms as this helps to prevent depression.  This soldier had been through surgery and was almost blind but he came back to the center and to our table four times.  He told us of how he had to get out of his room and see people.  He told me that he would probably have to leave the military and he didn't know what he would do.  He asked my name and called me by name twice after that as he would leave the building.  He just needed someone to talk to and to listen to him and it seemed that he enjoyed just visiting.  I will never forget him.  He just needed someone to listen.  Joyce

Stories!

I had tears in my eyes as I watched the pride and love in a father's eyes as he brought his very young, double amputee, son in to get a quilt.     Rose

Fort Sam- A soldier came in with his wife.  When she couldn't decide on what one he said, "it is autumn and I like this one with leaves."  I was thrilled to present him my quilt to him.  The picture that was taken with both of us and the quilt will hang by my sewing machine!     Linda L

Fort Sam-  At the Intrepid Center I was priviledged to give a quilt to a young man who was learning to walk with double leg prostetics.  He was concentrating so hard on each step! What an accomplishment!
                                                                                                                         Terry
I was visiting with the Asst Supervisor of the rehab center.  He told me how much the quilts mean to the wounded men and women.  He said that they tell him that it makes them feel like they are back home.
                                                                                                                           Candy

After Fort Sam

 We started to relax after the 'mission'  of our trip was done.  We were all  on our own for supper and then met and took a riverboat tour of San Antonio.  Shopping was fun.  The Alamo was toured. Lots of old arcitecture all over and it was beautiful to see.  We left San Antonio at noon on Thursday and arrived in Fredricksburg in late afternoon.  We were all great tourists-left alot of money in exchange for stuff which we probably don't need!  Typical huh? Almost all of us ate supper at Hondos' and stayed around for some music and entertainment, some of which was us, I'm sure, for the locals!  We left Fredricksburg at seven bells in the a.m. and drove to Oklahoma City. We stopped at Cattletown again, for shopping, as nothing had been open on Tuesday we went to eat at the Cattlemans. We checked into the hotel and went to eat.After eating we went back to the OK City Memorial to see it at night.  Beautiful. Quiet. Peaceful. Sad.              Back to the hotel as the wheels were going to be moving at seven a.m. again.  Today will be a long day of driving with a few short breaks for leg stretching.  Tonight will be spent in Des Moines Iowa. 

SOME MORE STORIES FROM THE QUILTERS!

Fort Hood- We would sign their name on a quilt that they picked out and present it to them.  It was one soldiers birthday ans so we all sang happy birthday to him.  A very happy man left the room!  We took a group picture out by the bus.  Many hugs were given to us and we to them!
Fort Sam- On our tour of the Fischer House there was a lady soldier sitting alone.I asked her if she would like a quilt.  I had two in my arms, one was red, white and blue and the other had deer in the woods on it which she took right away with a pleased and surprized expression.  She thanked me. And I gave her a hug and said thank you from me for her service.
I am enjoying the company and the friendship of the quilters on this trip!  Blessings to all!  Rita

More Stories!

Fort Sam Houston- I noticed one soldier in a wheelchair hanging back but looking.  I went up to him, kneeled down and asked him if he would like to pick out a quilt.  He said ,"no, I got one when I first deployed and it has been with me through everything. And right now it sure is padding and warming my 'bottom!'  I asked, "why don't you get one to keep your body warm then?". "That would be nice", he replied. As there were alot of people around I asked him if he wanted me to find one for him.  I picked up one that he pointed at.  I put his name in it and my own little addition of ' Gods Blessings' We hugged and I thanked him for his service to our country. Even  though he may not ever use that leg again, his spirits were high and he was able to laugh and smile.

Fort Hood- I was one of the last of the ladies to go back out to the bus and I noticed a soldier that was sitting in a chair.  He was on crutches and I could tell that he was in pain.  I approached him and asked if he minded if I put him in my prayers.  He looked up at me with a look that I will never forget!  Gratefulness, lost, hurting.  And then he smiled and quietly said thank you.  I softly touched his shoulder and left.  And cried all the way to the bus! 

There were so many times when I would talk to a soldier and say thank you. The usual reply would be, 'Its my job, Maam ,you don't have to thank me!'. I would reply, 'No, thank you for your service and for my freedom!'  These quilts are our way of saying Thank You to the soldiers who have fought and been wounded. Comforting soldiers one quilt at a time! 

A few stories!

Fort Hood- As I was visiting with soldiers waiting to go into the quilt distributing room, I noticed a young female soldier leaving with a quilt that I had made,  It was a ragtime quilt of blues and teal flannel.  I was so excited!  I went up to her and said, "I made that quilt."  She said that she wanted to save it for her baby which would be born in April.  I told her how I love to make baby quilts and that I would make her one if she woulf give me her address.  And she did!  What a special experience!
Fort Sam Houston- I met a soldier who chose one of my ragtime quilts.  He said he wanted to get it for hislittle girl who was just changing her bedroom to a Raggety Ann theme.           Dian Zeck

Fort Hood- As we were greeting the soldiers as they were leaving the quilt didtribution area I saw a soldier with one of my quilts.  As he came towards me I asked him if I could shake his had.  As I shook it I sxplained that he had chosen one of my quilts.  He said that he wanted one with wildlife on it. He had chosen my Minnesota fabric quilt.  As we talked I explained that the words printed on the back were the names of lakes in Minnesota.  He said, "All 10,000 of them?" and I said no but many of them.  I suggested that when he had time that he should get a Minnesota map and find some of the lakes.  He replied, "I will have to do that  with my eight year old son".  And then he gave me a big hug and said, " thank you".  It was pricless!
                                                                                                                         Linda Luthi

Top to bottom- Dian and the solsier who picked a quilt she made.
                            John Wolf, coorinator at the family center.
                            Jane and soldier who picked one of her quilts.
                            Statue outside of the hospital.  Inscription reads "This timeless tribute is in honor of
                                                                                                               Veterans and the Patriotic Spirit of the                                                                                                           the American People"
                           

Top to bottom-  Jenny talking to one of the soldiers.
                            Deb, Adair and Jane helping a soldier in a wheel chair find the perfect quilt.
                            Opps!  two of the same picture.  These two soldiers were young ladies with life
                             changing injuries but still smiling and proud!

Top to bottom-  A soldier reading the thank you card that is enclosed in each quilt.
                            All soldiers wear something with relective tape on it.
                            Retired Col. Franklin, who asked us to come here, on the far right in civies clothes.
                             Linda P with a soldier who picked out one of her quilts.
                           

Top to bottom- Putting the quilts on the table. A Soldiers t-shirt     Matt our videographer hired by Fonz & Porter to document our trip.  Net helping a soldier find just the right quilt.

Fort Sam Houston!

I apologize to all but I am having propblems with the format on the computer.
 I will figure it out at the hotel later and then post pictures and stories from yesterday!

Fort Saml Houston!

More Pics From Alamo Post 2!

Thank you to the men and women of the Alamo Post 2 in San Antonio for opening up their club to us. It was on a night when they are usually closed so we do feel honored! The food was great and we had a lot of fun. It was nice to hear all about your club and programs. You are a busy club! Sitting in on the band rehearsal put an omph! back in our steps as we headed back to the hotel after a very long day. We certainly are finding out that Texans do have hearts as big as their state!

A special one for Penny!

This young lady pictured below happened to ask me if I knew who had sewed the quilt she received. I folded down the corner and we read it. As soon as I saw Pennys' name I asked her if I could take her picture with it. She smiled and said yes. I explained then that Penny had to stay home because she didn't want to miss the birth of a grandchild. The soldier smiled and asked me to thank Penny for her. As she walked away she turned back to me and added this..."and give her a kiss on the cheek from me too, please!". I assured her that I would. We both had happy tears in our eyes! So Penny this one is for you!

A few more pics at FORT HOOD!

A few pics at FORT HOOD

Day Three

Now that I am caught up on yesterday I will begin this day. Another long ride with fun and games. BTW...Thank you to all who donated stuff to use as prizes for all the games. You are awesome! First stop will be a lunch somewhere along the way and then to Fort Hood to drop off 300 quilts to soldiers there. Fort Hood and Fort Sam Houston are what these ladies have been working so hard for all these months. To be able to hand present a quilt to one wounded soldier in person. To tell them thank you for their service, in the form of a quilt (and maybe a hug!). This is what this trip is all about!

More Pics from Oklahoma City stop

Day Two

What a day! A long ride on the bus to Oklahoma City but once there oh my! We spent about an hour and a half at the Oklahoma City Memorial. It was very moving! A must see if you are ever close. We checked into our hotel after that and promptly were whisked off to supper at the Cattlemans Club. Peg had arranged for this stop and did an excellent job. We were treated like gueens! She arranged withFred Marvel, retired OK State photographer and his wife Mary, to take a group portrait. They spent the evening with us and we showed them some Minnesota fun after the meal. Time for our competition to begin! On the Fort Knox trip last year Carols' team won the milking contest and the losing team leader Jenny has been obsessed with coming up with something her team could win! So she had 16 of us put on our cowboy hats and line up. The team to hook the most hats up on a set of longhorns would be declared the winner. The throw was from about ten feet away. We all tried to be like John Wayne in the movie McClintock but it was hard to do! Karen 'The Ringer' Rosen on Jennys' team was the only one of 16 of us to do it! Good job Karen!! They had a mock funeral for Carol and boy did they have fun doing that! So Jenny has bragging rights until the next trip! The meal was awesome and paid for by a QOV angel named Tim Rainey! Thank You Sir! After the meal we roamed around Cattletown abit. We met and talked with people who asked about our QOV t-shirts. Then it was back to the hotel and bed as breakfast was set for six a.m. and the wheels moving at seven.

Day Two

Jenny said that the wheels would be rolling at 6:30 and for the most part they were.
Almost had to leave Carol Olson! Although I don't think she will dilly dally tomorrow...she caught a LOTof grief!! Needless to say, we are having a lot of fun on this serious mission! Breakfast was delicious at a very nice restraunt not far from the base. Now we are on the road again headed for Oklahoma City. Lunch will be on our own today and we're looking very forward to the Cattlemans Club tonight! My apologies to the Legion Post in Omaha! The Post number there is 331 not 335 as I stated last night. Sorry Gentleman! We had a great time!

Day one..end of!

What a great end to our first day out! Fire grilled steak and fixings at yet another great American Legion Club here in Omaha, Nebraska. Their Legion Riders met us just a few miles out and escorted us to Offutt Air Force Base. We got our 'clearance' and were given a few minutes in our rooms before the Riders once again collected us, and the bus, and took us to Post 335. Alot of people heard the QOV story after a very nice welcome. I had the opportunity to sit next to one of the Post volunteers. We shared stories of Vietnam veterans that we know and how they were treated. We both got very emotional. We both talked of how glad we are that these ladies are doing what they are doing and that is 'providing comfort' to the soldiers fighting and hurting today. This trip is all about letting wounded soldiers know that we care. We are delivering these quilts as a token of THANKS, GRATITUDE and LOVE. God Bless all who have touched our trip today, in any way, be it in escorting, feeding us or just telling us ' thank you for doing this'. Oh, I would be remiss in not saying anything about this......One of singers from Earth, Wind and Fire was at the Post and came out to the bus along with another member from Three Dog Night. They thanked us and then serenaded us with a song! For the life of me I cannot remember their names and for this I am sorry. It has been a long day and the wheels are turning at 6:30 a.m. Uffdah!

Day One

We were welcomed warmly to the American Legion Post 15 in Sioux Falls, SD at a bit after noon. The served us a great lunch during which Jenny did a quilt show/talk/question session. One of the post members got up and thanked the ladies for all their hard work and this mission. He then introduced the American Legion Riders who will escort the bus. Four of the ten Riders are ladies! We gave them all a round of applause. Larry Ripplinger is still escorting us too. He started in Underwood! The others that started had to leave us at the SD border. We all went outside as the weather is beautiful and Jenny got the first ride of the trip on one of the bikes! Thank you to all the Riders as we feel privileged to have you there as we look out ahead of the bus. God Bless all the Riders and all at Post 15!

The quilts are on their way!

  It was a brisk 39 degrees this morning as the QOV ladies gathered in Underwood MN to depart on their mission to take 1,020 quilts to Texas to distribute to our Service men and women.  If you have been reading the blog you know the goal was 1,000 quilts but the extra 20 were done and they did fit under the bus.  Needless to say the ladies have their suitcases inside the bus with them.

  There was a very touching program given before the coach full of quilts and ladies were sent on their way.  I wish you all could have been there.  We were touched to once again here what a blessing the quilts are to the soldiers that have received them.   A blessing was said over the quilts that they would accomplish everything they were meant to do.  Comfort, encourage and even help to heal each and every soldier that receives them. 

  Our fellow quilters will recognize the name Fons and Porter and Love of Quilting.  Well a cameraman from there show was at the send off and will be riding along with the quilts and ladies.  He will be taking footage and doing interviews so we will have another chance latter to relive and share the journey. 

 

  I would  like to introduce Cheri who will be blogging on this trip.  Just a few of the people that have worked on the quilts and helped to raise funds to make this possible were able to go on the trip.  The ones unable to go send our love and blessings with them and look forward to hearing all about the week.   

 I apologize - my camera did not like the cold, so I only have a few pictures but am looking forward to getting more from other people that were there and adding them.