A First time for everything

 

A lot of places that I get to go – have Veterans involved. So it comes as no surprise that a lot of times Quilts are involved –

This particular time still has me laughing.

I was invited to come to a family gathering, to award a WWII Veteran a Quilt of Valor. His family was so excited for this to happen, for their dad/granddad/sibling to get recognized for his service in the war.

They knew he served and when he arrived stateside, at the end of his service, he was given $10 and told to get back home. Of course, they deposited him in California –he farmed in Kansas/Colorado. That was not a real close drop off.

And so I arrive at the Gentleman’s house…. fully expecting to make my presentation and leave. Let the family have a party and celebrate. But this young 94 year old gentleman says to me and my husband – you all take a seat over there – I have one more person coming and then I will start my story.

Well Bless his heart – he probably did not know how much I love our Veterans stories so we just settled in and made ourselves at home.

His last guest arrived and this young gentleman got to talking. He told us how he was drafted and sent on a train ride – his first train ride ever – to the west coast. After training there he was sent on a huge plane – his first plane ride ever – to the east coast for water training. After that he was sent on a huge ship – his first ship ride ever – overseas. And then he got to talking about his travels overseas and the things that he did … and lawsy mercy – you could have heard a pin drop. Even his 4 year old great-great grandchild was at attention.

They weren’t told much about where they were going – just put on a ship and told to prepare. And so he did, and his first stop was Leyte in the Philippines – to the Japanese held island – and a Battle to take the island ensued. He had three other such amazing stops, and stories to tell us. We were spellbound.

Then he mentioned being injured, and receiving and award for it – One of us tentatively asked – A Purple Heart? And he said:  Why yes – that is exactly what it was. Would you like to see it? Again – you could have heard a pin drop. No one, not a one of his family members was even aware of the injury or the award.  He brought out other mementos as well, and told stories about each item. I could not have been more excited to learn about this man.

This is why I love our Quilts – I think they bring healing, they bring the stories, and they bring out History. Real History: from the people that made it.