Alaska Valor News. The mission of the. Quilts of Valor. Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing

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Alaska Valor News The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.

Walt Disney In 2003 a Blue Star Mom, Catherine Roberts, had a dream about a soldier and a quilt. Catherine s son was deployed to Iraq, leaving her 10 seconds from panic, she recalls.

As though in a movie, the next scene showed him sitting with a quilt wrapped around his shoulders, his demeanor changed to one of hope and strength.

1 Alaska Valor News The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. V O L U M E 2, I S S U E 4 It Was a Dream F O U R T H Q U A R T E R All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. Walt Disney In 2003 a Blue Star Mom, Catherine Roberts, had a dream about a soldier and a quilt. Catherine s son was deployed to Iraq, leaving her 10 seconds from panic, she recalls. One night s dream included a young man sitting on the edge of his cot dealing with his war demons. As though in a movie, the next scene showed him sitting with a quilt wrapped around his shoulders, his demeanor changed to one of hope and strength. When she awoke the next morning Catherine recalled her dream and thought quilts = healing. She determined that making wartime quilts was the way she could show her support for our troops. The next day she began working on a quilt for a wounded warrior with hopes it that might change his demeanor, too. She was able to go onto a ward at Walter Reed Hospital in November, 2003 to lay her quilt across the bed of a wounded warrior. She and the Chaplain with her saw the change that first quilt brought, and she was asked to begin sending quilts to the field hospitals in Iraq. If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that the whole thing started with a mouse. Walt Disney. It was Catherine s dream that brought us to what we know today as the Quilts of Valor Foundation. Our mission is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. QOVs cover men and women who have served our country from WWII through today s warriors. And yes, the whole thing started with just one quilt. This month we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the award of that first quilt. We are also celebrating over 200,000 QOVs that cover deserving members of our United States military. And yes, the whole thing started with just one quilt. I m glad you had the courage to follow your dream, Catherine Roberts. Quilt of Valor, Quilts of Valor, and QOV are registered trademarks of the Quilts of Valor Foundation. The Forget Me Not Quilters awarded thirteen Quilts of Valor on Veterans Day.

P A G E 2 You never know what to expect when you award a Quilt of Valor to a Veteran and then hand them the microphone and ask if they would like to say something.

2 P A G E 2 You never know what to expect when you award a Quilt of Valor to a Veteran and then hand them the microphone and ask if they would like to say something. This is a true story I would like to share. It is about making hard decisions and knowing that what we do is not under our control. First, I have to explain that before the award ceremonies, while getting the Quilts of Valor labeled and agenda ready; I always had a problem with who gets which quilt and what order to present them in. So I came up with this plan to let Someone else decide and it works every time. I stack the quilts up 1 11, and have numbers 1-11 written on paper tabs in a "hat". Then I have the veteran's names in a "hat". The first name drawn gets which ever number I draw and is listed on the agenda in that order. This Veterans Day I started the ceremony, as usual, with the story of how Catherine Roberts had a dream, awarded the first quilt at Walter Reed Hospital, went back to her quilt group and got them excited about making quilts for Veterans. Usually at this point I describe how the program spread across American and eventually to Alaska and our group But this time I told the audience how at first the Quilts of Valor were sent overseas to comfort the Veterans Day Story wounded on their way home. Then I went on to explain the programs growth. Air Force Chaplain Erik Harp was the first name drawn so his was the first QOV presented. When I asked if he would like to say something; he told us that he was in Germany in 2005 and corresponded with Mrs. Roberts via about her sending quilts to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. The quilts were to be presented on her behalf to wounded servicemen. He said they were so rare and precious, he had to decide who would get them. So he chose the most severely wounded. Unfortunately, the most se ve re ly wounded often didn t make it home. Later, he was told that the mourning families who received the QOV felt comforted by the fact that this was the blanket that surrounded their love one as he passed. Chaplain Erik Harp told us that he had given these precious quilts to so many and never thought he would get one! Chaplain Erik Harp received a Quilt of Valor in Fairbanks on Veterans Day. The next Vet was from Vietnam era and was too emotional to talk. The next told us he was an Air Force Medic in the same time frame & battle zone as the Chaplain. He looked at the Chaplain and said "I sent you those wounded."

P A G E 3 Chaplain Erik Harp and his volunteers serving wounded warriors at

volunteer at the Chaplain s Closet assists a soldier with making a selection.

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Above: A Red Cross volunteer covers a

3 P A G E 3 Chaplain Erik Harp and his volunteers serving wounded warriors at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center from July 2005 through July 2008: Below: A volunteer at the Chaplain s Closet assists a soldier with making a selection. Photographs courtesy of the Pubic Affairs Office. Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Above: A Red Cross volunteer covers a patient with his new and very patriotic Quilt of Valor. Left: Chaplain Erik Harp at the bedside of a wounded warrior.

4 P A G E 4 Christ Church Cut-Ups form an Under Our Wings Youth Group! The Christ Church Cut-Ups in Anchorage proudly announce the formation of an Under Our Wings youth group! We are excited to partner with the 4-H Club for this endeavor. Our first sewing day for the Quilts of Valor 4 -H Club was Saturday, November 10. A delightful group, ages 8 16, participated. Most had never done any machine sewing, so we started with the basics: fat quarter bags. The kids were enthusiastic, creative, and learned quickly! They are excited to gain the skills needed to create Quilts of Valor. Stay tuned!

P A G E 5 49th State QOV Veterans Day Awards Quilters all across the state sewed, sometimes together, sometimes alone at home, as they planned for months ahead how they could show

Each year the school in Metlakatla holds a Veterans Day celebration where the children can show their respect to their elders.

In total 11 veterans were thanked. Ketchikan s Rainy Day Quilt Guild covered seven more of their veterans. Five of those veterans are pictured here.

The first ceremony held in Funny River included a father and son as well as two other veterans. In Soldotna another father and son duo were honored.

5 P A G E 5 49th State QOV Veterans Day Awards Quilters all across the state sewed, sometimes together, sometimes alone at home, as they planned for months ahead how they could show their respect to veterans in their hometowns. Along the southeastern coast Carol K. visited one of Petersburg s older veterans and wrapped his quilt around his shoulders. Each year the school in Metlakatla holds a Veterans Day celebration where the children can show their respect to their elders. Because a few of the infirm weren t able to attend this celebration other veterans joined quilter Nina Nathan to visit their homes and make individual awards. In total 11 veterans were thanked. Ketchikan s Rainy Day Quilt Guild covered seven more of their veterans. Five of those veterans are pictured here. The other two were honored at their homes. The group members held two celebrations in the central area of the Kenai Peninsula. The first ceremony held in Funny River included a father and son as well as two other veterans. In Soldotna another father and son duo were honored. The 49th State QOV group was formed in September to give quilters all across the state an opportunity to be part of the Quilts of Valor Foundation s membership. Are you in an area where there is no QOV group? Contact Linda Kau at linda.kau@qovf.org to learn more about membership benefits. Farther north up the coastline found six veterans in Cordova honored at their Sobriety Celebration.

P A G E 6 A Grand Veterans Day Celebration in Homer It took long term planning to achieve a grand Veterans Day

In order to spread the word about the Quilts of Valor Foundation, members of the Kachemak Bay Quilters QOVF group

6 P A G E 6 A Grand Veterans Day Celebration in Homer It took long term planning to achieve a grand Veterans Day celebration in Homer. In order to spread the word about the Quilts of Valor Foundation, members of the Kachemak Bay Quilters QOVF group planned to have several Quilts of Valor completed before July fourth so they could carry them in the town s 4th of July Parade. Then, they explained to the towns-people how to go to the QOVF website and request a quilt for a deserving veteran, which would be awarded at a Veterans Day Ceremony. Ten veterans who live in Homer and Anchor Point are were honored on Veterans Day, three more quilts await the return of their recipients who weren t able to attend the ceremony.

P A G E 7 Forget Me Not Quilters of Alaska Alaska s charter membership group is the Forget Me Not Quilters of Alaska, now proudly showing a membership roster totaling 56.

Each September they visit the Alaska Veterans and Pioneer Home in Palmer to award QOVs to newly arrived veterans at the home. The Last Frontier Honor Flight is a semi-annual event for the group also.

The quilters were challenged to create a unique quilt featuring Northcott Fabric s Liberty Ride panel. Thirty two QOVs were made in honor of these veterans who have been touched by war.

7 P A G E 7 Forget Me Not Quilters of Alaska Alaska s charter membership group is the Forget Me Not Quilters of Alaska, now proudly showing a membership roster totaling 56. This group covers individual requests all across the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and beyond when needed. Each September they visit the Alaska Veterans and Pioneer Home in Palmer to award QOVs to newly arrived veterans at the home. The Last Frontier Honor Flight is a semi-annual event for the group also. A special project this year for the group was to make and award QOVs to the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Assoc., Chapter The quilters were challenged to create a unique quilt featuring Northcott Fabric s Liberty Ride panel. Thirty two QOVs were made in honor of these veterans who have been touched by war. In addition to the monthly 4th Thursday sew days at the Wasilla Senior Center the group meets semi-annually for 4-days of sewing at VFW Post 9365 in Wasilla. Friday evening of their retreat they hold an award ceremony for local veterans. The most recent addition to the group is the wife of a retired veteran who received his QOV at the Forget Me Not s September award ceremony. She wrote: This event may have changed our lives more than we thought. I m hooked. And happy to say a new member of QOV. Thank you all for our beautiful quilt and for the warm welcome you have all shown me. Can t wait to get stitching. I have so much to learn from you wonderful, talented ladies. As Catherine Roberts said, Quilts = Healing. It s obvious that the healing offered by our QOVs includes many of us in addition to our service members and veterans. Watch the Quilts of Valor Alaska Facebook page, to see how you can show your support for Quits of Valor Foundation s Alaska members as we sew to honor our service members and veterans. Links for donations will be live until November 27th.

P A G E 8 Turnagain QOV Group Plans for 2019 The ladies of Turnagain QOV met on November 12th at Seams Like Home Quilt Shop to enjoy a day of quilting.

Cindy Steward and Jacky Strong reported on the Honor Flight and the quilts that the group had provided for the veterans and how much they were appreciated.

It will be held on January 10th, 11th and 12, 2019 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Jewel Lake Road, Anchorage. We are also looking forward to taking part in National QOV Sew Day on February 2, 2019.

net) Sew Mates: A New QOV Group in Eagle River The newly formed Sew Mates QOV group in Eagle River has started off the Fall very busy.

8 P A G E 8 Turnagain QOV Group Plans for 2019 The ladies of Turnagain QOV met on November 12th at Seams Like Home Quilt Shop to enjoy a day of quilting. The roads were icy, the food was good and a good time was had by all who attended. Cindy Steward and Jacky Strong reported on the Honor Flight and the quilts that the group had provided for the veterans and how much they were appreciated. Plans were made to present quilts to two veterans who were unable to attend the Honor Flight. To celebrate the 2nd Birthday of Turnagain QOV, we have planned our second stay at home retreat. It will be held on January 10th, 11th and 12, 2019 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Jewel Lake Road, Anchorage. We are also looking forward to taking part in National QOV Sew Day on February 2, We love visitors so if you are in Anchorage stop in and visit! Rosemary Slisz, Group Leader (slisz@gci.net) Sew Mates: A New QOV Group in Eagle River The newly formed Sew Mates QOV group in Eagle River has started off the Fall very busy. As a new group we have been working on building up a supply of quilts to have ready for presentations. Mary Dodge purchased a Gammill Statler longarm quilt machine and is allowing us to use it to quilt our Quilts of Valor. Our task has been learning how to do it! It has been fun to try the many different patterns and techniques and members are learning quickly. In October we attended the Honor Flight return and helped cheer on our returning Veterans. On November 10, we had the honor of awarding a QOV to a special Veteran during our November Sew Day. Ten members of the local Red, White and Blue Veterans group joined the Sew Mates to cut, iron, sew and cleanup for the day. It was a great opportunity to celebrate Veterans Day while making new friends. At 1 PM we surprised Veteran Tiffany Berard with a QOV. Tiffany was in the U.S. Army for 26 years and is currently a Purple Heart Nominee. Tiffany was surprised by the many friends who showed up as well as the nice presentation done by Carol Brady. Kathy Vik attended this year s International Quilt Festival in Houston in November. While there she was able to attend the presentation of an honorary 200,000th QOV to Robert Shane Kimbrough. Robert served in the US Army and then became a NASA astronaut. He has walked in space, lived in the Space Station and spent over 139 days in space. Houston offered the perfect venue to honor a Veteran and include thousands of quilters in the celebration. We are looking forward to an upcoming retreat in December and a having fun during the holiday season. AL

P A G E 9 Veterans Day Weekend for the Forget Me Not Quilters The Wasilla Senior Center s lunch was special on Veterans Day this year.

Left: Two employees of Hillcorp AK in Anchorage awarded QOVs to co-workers in what was a day of paying it forward for one of them. In 2017, Carrie W. made quilts for two of her female co-workers.

Notice the short lady standing beside the two tall men on the right side of the picture? That s Debra, who worked as a C-130 mechanic during her tenure in the Air Force. To her right is Travis P.

9 P A G E 9 Veterans Day Weekend for the Forget Me Not Quilters The Wasilla Senior Center s lunch was special on Veterans Day this year. The Forget Me Not Quilters awarded quilts to thirteen veterans including WWII, Korea War, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Please see the picture on the front page. Left: Two employees of Hillcorp AK in Anchorage awarded QOVs to co-workers in what was a day of paying it forward for one of them. In 2017, Carrie W. made quilts for two of her female co-workers. This year one of them, Debra O. worked together with Carrie to make quilts for seven of their co-workers. Four of the recipients are shown above with the quilters. Notice the short lady standing beside the two tall men on the right side of the picture? That s Debra, who worked as a C-130 mechanic during her tenure in the Air Force. To her right is Travis P., Air National Guard veteran, now a C-130 pilot for Hillcorp, AK. Other veterans (left to right) are Carl J., U.S. Army, Jerry J., U.S. Air Force and on the far right is Tom L., U.S. Navy. Three others not pictured received their QOVs after returning to the office. Above: Debra also paid her respects to the pastor of her church, Maj Bradford Burns. Major Burns serves in the Military as a Chaplain and is touched by war everyday with counseling and funerals. He performed a funeral service for the first Alaskan Airman killed in Afghanistan. Left: Since 2014 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association members have been receiving Quilts of Valor at their fall dinner meeting. This year two veterans were honored. Pictured is John P., a new VHPA member who asked what did I do? We assured him and other recipient, Dan S., valiantly served our country..that s what they did!

The first Saturday in February is always National QOV Sew Day.

10 P A G E 10 Leaf your worries behind Join friends and colleagues for an exciting and fun-filled conference! Click here to watch a short video from Marianne Fons, Emeritus QOVF Board Member. The first Saturday in February is always National QOV Sew Day. To learn where you might find quilters gathering near you to sew on February 2, 2019 contact one of the group leaders listed in this newsletter or look on the website, under Who s in My Area.

11 Alaska QOVF Groups Contact & Meeting Info P A G E 11 Alaska State Coordinator, Linda Kau Linda.Kau@QOVF.org or call Anchorage - Christ Church Cut Ups Deanna Coupland, Group Leader deannacoupland@gmail.com Meet at Christ Church Episcopal 5101 O Malley Road Anchorage, AK Anchorage - Turnigan QOV Contact Rosemary at slisz@gci.net or call Monthly Anchorage Sew Days 2 nd Monday of each month, 10 am -4 pm Meet at Seams Like Home 2153 E. 88th Ave. Anchorage, AK, Eagle River - Sew Mates Kathy Vik, Group Leader cmqgvalor@gmail.com or call nd Saturday QOV Sew Days, 10 am 3 pm Eagle River Boys & Girls Club Old Glenn Hwy Eagle River, AK Eagle River - Twisted Sisters American Quilters Katy Lander-Pederson, Group Leader Call TSQP(8777) for more information Fairbanks - Quilting Lions and Friends Sally Benevento, Group Leader sallyb@gci.net or call Every Monday, 6-8 pm 1945 Peridot North Pole, AK Interior Regional Coordinator Marie Fitts, Marie.Fitts@QOVF.org & Thursday, 11-3 pm Davis Hall, Tanana Valley Fair Fairbanks, AK Homer - Faith Friday Friends Connie Isenhour, isenhour@gmail.com Homer - Kachemack Bay Quilters Karrie Youngblood, karriesquilting@gmail.com Juneau Quilters needed in Juneau area. Please contact State Coordinator, Linda Kau, Linda.Kau@QOVF.org if you d like to help honor veterans in your area. Mat-Su Valley - Forget Me Not Quilters of Alaska Linda Kau, Group Leader Linda.Kau@QOVF.org Semi-annual Retreats March and September Wasilla VFW Post 9365 Monthly Wasilla Sew Day: 4 th Thursday of month, 9 am to 3 pm Meet at Wasilla Senior Center, 1301 S. Century Circle Wasilla, AK Call for info: Statewide 49th State QOV Linda Kau, Group Leader, Linda.Kau@QOVF.org What is a Certified QOVF Quilt Shop? Certified QOVF Quilt Shops in Alaska Sylvia s Quilt Depot Wasilla, AK Twisted Sisters' Quilty Pleasures Eagle River, AK

WOW NEWS. President s Corner Board. Last Meeting Recap. Enjoy photos from Mary Elizabeth Kinch Trunk Show SEPTEMBER 2018 ISSUE 9

WOW NEWS. President s Corner Board. Last Meeting Recap. Enjoy photos from Mary Elizabeth Kinch Trunk Show SEPTEMBER 2018 ISSUE 9 WOW NEWS SEPTEMBER 2018 ISSUE 9 2018 Board President Audrey Fresh Vice President Open Position Treasurer Brenda Dunlavy Secretaries Connie Falkenstein Margie Lundberg www.wowquiltguild.com Last Meeting