Quilts of Valor

I usually forget about a quilt I donate to charity. 

It's a good feeling to know your quilt can make a difference in a hospital setting, a domestic abuse situation, a fundraiser for a worthy cause, or for an American veteran, but you rarely see the faces of the recipients.

Which is fine; it's the giving that's important.

Still, it was a lovely surprise to get these pictures of a quilt I had made for Quilts of Valor some time ago.

The quilt was awarded in Florida to Lt. Colonel (Retired) Donald Manchester, an Army veteran of the Viet Nam War. His family and friends arranged a tremendous surprise ceremony in the backyard of their beach house, between two palm trees. There was a bagpiper, who played, and a singer who sang "Through a Soldier's Eyes".

It sounds like it was a very moving presentation-I wish I could've been there!

This quilt was a group effort! Susan Calabrese, our coordinator, organizes an all-day sewing event for QOV, usually in the spring. My guild, Piecemakers of Elmira, will collect tops. Someone will quilt these (thanks, Maryann), while another member does the binding (thanks, Laura).

Seeing these pictures makes me want to start another red-white-and-blue project soon!