WWII Vets

Saturday Night the Honor Flight arrived back. Honor Flight is trying to take the WWII veterans back to the WWII Memorial in Washington DC. This was their third flight. We were honored to be able to present Quilts of Valor to the Veterans.

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All I can really say is "WOW - What a treat!"

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First, the Flight had left Friday Morning. The Vets had a full schedule including meeting Bob Dole at the Memorial.

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Second - this was AWESOME!!! We took the quilts to the hotel that they were arriving at and set the up in the ballroom. The people who were waiting for their vets came over and were so impressed that Quilts Of Valor existed, and that their vets would be a quilt recipient. ( I get goose bumps writing this). So I told them about QOV and to make sure their vet did NOT leave without his/her quilt. And Oh Man - did they make sure!!
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We were told at the last minute that the Vets were tired, could we do quilts quickly. I said whatever works - well you know the power of a quilt right? So many stayed around and talked, and checked each others quilts out, and finally at midnight (2 1/2 hours later) we cleared everyone out. But the smiles, the tears, the excited exclamations that these were for them was impressive. I was hugged by a million people I think. My boys handed out the quilts to the vets and I got the hugs - how awesome is that?~

One of the women came in and she saw a patriotic quilt. I got ready to hand her a female quilt and she says " Oh I really want the RWB one - I was born on the 4th of July!" Far be it from me to argue ( grin) . She was SO tickled with her quilt, she maneuvered her walker over to a table and chair. Took her quilt out and made everyone she could come and look at it.
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We had another vet. His daughter told him that she would get him settled and go get his quilt for him. He wanted to be wheeled up to get a Quilt and be with his buddies. He wanted to be a part of it all. It was cool! And he was so neat. He sat and told us stories. He was a Marine - Semper Fie - wonderful to talk to. My boys will forever be touched.

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This generation - they are a wonderful group of people. They were so happy over their trip. So tickled to be honored, and so overwhelmed that a quilt was made for them to Thank them for their service to our country. When Quilts of Valor go out, I never expect to hear from the recipients - as these are gifts, and with gifts they are given freely.

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May I share with you a few Thank yous that have already arrived?

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Dear Friends:

I have been overwhelmed be the kindness and generosity shown to us Vets of WWII. I am thrilled to have the beautiful quilt that was made for me. Thank you one and all. We Veterans were only doing what was right for this great country of ours. It was my pleasure to serve our country. Your program Quilts of Valor - is a huge undertaking, and from this Veteran, I send my grateful Thanks. R.W.

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To all that made these quilts for us. I was Proud to recieve it, and it is a very beautiful quilt. I was happy to have fought for our great country. Thank you again. C.D.

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Dear Ones:
My husband, Bruce, received one of your beautful quilts last night when he returned from his trip to Washington, DC on the Honor Flight.

As he was telling me about the young kids who stayed up until 11:30 PM just to give each and everyone one of his fellow companion veterans, he got choked up and had to stop speaking.

I know what a special gift this is to him, and he will charish it always. Thank you for making my husband feel so special and for honoring him and his fellow veterans. What a wonderful thing it is that you do. We appreciate the time, the work, the effort and the love that you stitch in to every quilt you make. May God bless you and keep you all.
Sincerely,
Mrs. F

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Need I say more?