The Quilts of Valor Foundation honored six of Mexico’s finest on Saturday, June 10, at the VFW Hall 3772 in Mexico, and afterward, the local chapter surprised the foundation.
Quilts of …
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The Quilts of Valor Foundation honored six of Mexico’s finest on Saturday, June 10, at the VFW Hall 3772 in Mexico, and afterward, the local chapter surprised the foundation.
Quilts of Valor was started in 2002 by a woman who wanted to honor her son who was serving in Afghanistan. Missouri State Coordinator Linda Martien during the ceremony said the group’s mission statement reads, “is to award comfort and healing quilts of valor to those who have been touched by war,” Martien said. “We don’t presume to define what that means because that’s personal to everyone.”
In the last 20 years, the foundation has awarded nearly 350,000 quilts.
“We hope that when you experience dark times or need the warmth of a hug wrap yourself in your quilt so it can provide that comfort that has been sewn into every seam,” Martien said.
Each quilt is unique and comes with a label with the Veterans’ name inscribed. Martien said the quilts are all awarded and should be treated as such.
“They are not a library book to be passed out or given away,” Martien said. “It’s only awarded once in your lifetime and it is not a charity quilt or blanket.”
Martien said each quilt has three layers with a symbolic meaning. The top layer represents all of the communities and people the veterans have served. The middle layer is the warmth and the back is the strength that represents Veterans that holds the other two.
“Each stitch that holds the layers together represents the love, gratitude, and sometimes tears of the maker,” Martien said. “We hope they become a family heirloom that you can pass down to your generations so they can see and respect the service you performed for your country.”
All six Veterans served during the Vietnam era and were given pins that were placed on them by their wives. Martien said the way those Veterans were treated was shameful and the country has come to recognize those wrongs.
“We hope it serves as a tangible reminder that Americans are recognizing the sacrifices you made overseas and here at home,” Martien said.
The six Veterans recognized included Russell Davis (1969-71), Charles “Rick” Campbell (1969-73), Leroy Brinker (1966-68), Lt. Colonel Ernie Allen (1968-1992), Gary Songer (1963-66) and Robert William “Bill” Wright (1964-67)
After the ceremony concluded Davis said he had to make an announcement and presented Martien with a check for $1,000 from the VFW to the foundation.
