First off!! A Mystery Quilt. This is the latest Mystery that my group did - we called it Pointed Fun, and our group started it at the middle of March.... and it was a good thing to have going on...
This one was made by Jan - she doesn't live to far from me! I love her colors!
And check out this beauty of a Quilt of Valor.... It was made by Connie - and I have to tell you...
I am in love with this panel! I mean seriously... and Eagle - and Plaid... totally Sigh worthy!
and then... The Awesome Vietnam Veteran.
He was medivac'd out of Vietnam 3 times - and went back EACH time. He was a point man - so you know... he is pretty lucky to still be here.
most of our presentations have been on hold... but this one was a little different.
and here is why..
We have been looking for a specific implement for our tractor. Off and On we thought we would find it, and then... someone would out bid us, or it just wasn't exactly what we were looking for.
Two weeks ago - I needed this implement and I told my patient and sweet husband that I was ready to just buckle down and pay what we had to.... it was time. So he got online and found exactly what we were looking for - but the man who owned it was in Washington ( we live in Northern Colorado).
The Tool was still in Colorado ( and as patient as I am - I wanted it last week!!)
However he was okay with us going to test it as long as his neighbor was there.
This is when we met this Veteran. And lawsy mercy - a 35 minute look turned into 2 hours as we just talked and talked - and chatted some more.
We decided that yes - we were buying this piece of equipment and after negotiations were made - we headed back with the truck to get it.... and I made sure the neighbor was there!
We loaded everything up and of course - had to talk with the Neighbor some more. I asked him if he had ever heard of Quilts of Valor and he said no Ma'am...
You know me! I was prepared - I had this Quilt for him and proceeded right there to award him this quilt. I told him all about the people who made these quilts, and why they were made, and that knowing how much he loved his country I really felt that this patriotic one fit his personality - and..
he cried - yep! You all know - I am in the business of making grown men cry! haha! But then he told us even more about his service, and the best was how when they were coming back to the United States - the Pilot said - men - The US is on the right side of the plane.... He said that plane banked to the right so hard as every soldier headed to go see their own country.... He had me crying!!
it was a privilege to meet him, and I believe I have made another life long friend... We set up a coffee date!!
Linking to:
Alycia, you always have the best presentation stories and show the best QOV quilts! What a touching tribute to that veteran's service.
ReplyDeleteYOU are truly an amazing woman! Thank You for all you do.
ReplyDeleteI love the story of meeting this vet and being able to present him a quilt immediately, so sweet. Do you know who makes that eagle panel? My group was to have a class that this would be perfect for.
ReplyDeleteOh Alycia that is just the best story and it was meant to be that you got that particular implement and missed out on all the others.
ReplyDeleteWow you made me cry too! The Vietnam veterans are so appreciative. Many did not have the best experience coming back home. I have been fortunate to make two QOV for Vietnam veterans. The first one cried and said no one had ever thanked him for his service. The second one had been a medic too. He wrote me a wonderful thank you letter which I will always treasure. Thanks for sharing this story. The news is so full of horrible stories right now, it’s good to read an uplifting one!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day you had. This makes me smile to hear stories like this. This is why we do what we do, they are so appreciative of being recognized for their service but would never go out of their way to let us know.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alycia for all you do.
Sandra
Columbia SC
Your story of the Vietnam veteran and the QOV presentation is a real heart grabber! Thank you for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story to share. It's a strong and beautiful reminder to us all what a privilege it is to live in this country. Thank you for honor is Vietnam Vet.
ReplyDeleteI love your stories and the way you honor and award QOV's to our veterans. Keep up the good work Alycia!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story on your QOV travels. Thanks so much for sharing and for all you do.
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful for a positive, uplifting story just now, and this was it! Thanks for what you do for our vets.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story and what a great man!
ReplyDeleteSuch an awesome story! Thank you for sharing. I am so proud of you for being prepared and making the decision to just go for it.
ReplyDeleteHow cool did all that work out?!! You got your implement, he got his quilt and new friends are made. AWESOME!!
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful!! Years ago when I was having some tile work done in my kitchen, I was chatting with the installer while he took a break and I took a break from the machines. He asked me what I was doing so told him about what a group was doing. He said something about being a Viet Nam vet and how badly they were treated. I apologized and went back to work. I had just sent my blankets so couldn't give him one immediately. BUT....the next day after he had been working for awhile, and we were chatting again during a few minutes break, I gave him a fleece blanket machine embroidered with a large patriotic design and ''Thank you for your service.'' He too broke down and cried. He couldn't believe someone would do that for him after all these years.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story. Glad that you were prepared with a quilt (and glad you got the implement, too).
ReplyDeleteYou just HAPPENED to have a QOV with you?!?! What a great story, Alycia! Do you ALWAYS have a QOV in the truck... just in case??? :o))
ReplyDeleteOMG!!! I so needed this pick me up with the current riots going on in our country. I so needed to see a hero receive a gift made with love and to honor him. Thank you so much for this!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the wonderful story about this special veteran and your new friendship.
ReplyDeletesure, now you're making a grown woman cry... how beautiful. Viet Nam vets, unsung heros who did what was asked of them and more, who carry internal scars we can't imagine. Thank you for this, especially in a week when our American rights are being tested, the right to peaceful protest and letting our leaders know what we want from them. Poor the people in today's military who have to pick up guns against their fellow citizens under orders... oy. Sorry to sound so heavy, my heart is heavy. As if the virus weren't enough to cope with... I'm in Aurora by the way, second highest infection rate in CO. Thanks for this post.
ReplyDeleteLeeAnna
A great story, along with a great quilt - you've made everyone cry!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the story of your visit--perfect presentation!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story! So glad you were able to make that special presentation.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing that. My husband was a Vietnam Vet, and he died of cancer most likely related to that time spent. He's been gone 11 years, and I'm still making quilts for soldiers.
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