4th Annual QOV Quilters' & Friends' Barbecue, September 1, 2014

I started this barbecue for years ago as a way to meet new quilters and to get to know the ones I had met during the year just a bit better.   This is the first year QOV was added to the title. Two years ago Sue, my dear friend and fellow QOV quilter, joined me as another hostess for this yearly gathering. We thought this is a way to thank the Quilters, their families, and our friends for their generous support of the Quilt of Valor project and to include the non-quilting people of the families as oft times we quilters are off to this sew day or that retreat. 

As we did last year, a Quilt of Valor was presented, this year to a retired Air Force officer, however, keeping the identity of the recipent a secretfrom all.  Janice served in Desert Storm. As the 40 or 50 guests gathered around to hear about the person receiving the quilt I glanced at Janice every once in a while. She thought the quilt was for someone else never suspecting that she was being honored for her selfless service. She kept glancing over at a Navy Seabee sitting at the far end of the deck who served in Vietnam Nam. When her name was called she was dumbfounded, so shocked she was speechless and had to be given support by her husband, another Vietnam vet, to stand.  Incidentally, her husband, Sonny, crafted her QOV.

As I looked around at all the guests it occurred to me that we had several veterans present so I asked all those who were veterans to raise their hands.  The number of hands took us all by surprise. At that moment spontaneous applause broke out and a standing ovation was given to all these veterans; there were more than even I suspected. It was a very emotional and moving scene.  

As a result of this tribute and showing of support to the vets by everyone I was very surprise to receive this card, especially when it was written by Laurie's husband.  I received the card in the mail yesterday and would like to share it with anyone who reads this. It says:

Dear Bobbie, Hi. 

Laurine and I want to thank you so much for having us at your home for the 4th Quilt of Valor BBQ. You have no idea how it feels, after being cursed and spit on "1966," to have your fellow Americans say, "We appreciate your service" now.
 
After  discharge in '66 I threw all of my military gear, ribbons and in the trash and never looked back.   Now I feel just maybe it was worth the effort and commitment.  

Again, Thank You For All You Do!

Lairine & Ray R., CPL USMC 

"Semper Fi"

Really though, it should come of no surprise that the "nation" of quilters have veterans in their families.  All of us have our reasons for Quilting for Valor. When I am asked why I do this, I say, "This is what I do." 

I share this because it is what we do.

Happenstance, A Quilt of Valor Award, Oregon

Happenstance. That is how the Quilt of Valor presentation came about last evening, 8/7/2014.

I am on vacation at the Oregon coast in my motorhome. It was a beautiful day yesterday and I was sitting outside binding a quilt by hand when I lookedy up and saw that this gentleman walking by on the sidewalk. Immediately I noticed his baseball cap. Printed on it was Vietnam. I got up and walked towards him and said, "Excuse me, but did you serve in Vietnam?"

He replied, "Yes I did." 

While he was replying I held out my hand to shake his and then said, "Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Welcome home!"  

I could see the emotion in his eyes as one usually does, especially with the Vietnam veterans. I started talking to him telling him I was as QOVF coordinator for this area and when he told me where he was from, I knew he lived in my area. I told him about the previous presentation I just made Sunday then he started telling me about his post service from Vietnam. He told me about the nightmares is he had and sometimes still has. He related several instances that shrouded his life for so long and I knew then and there that I would present a quilt to him.

I found out he was staying in an RV park across the road from mine, his name and address and phone number. Later in the day I went to his RV site and met his wife and of course, no one knew my plans to present a quilt to this man last evening. 

Gratefully, I elicited the help of their friends from California and his wife so last evening around 7 PM I went to their campsite. He looked at me curiously when he saw me drive up probably wondering why I was being so nosy, as I've been accused of that before, so I called to the women, "I brought the fabric you were interested in." At that point he lost interest and continued talking to his buddies, which gave us the chance to get the quilt out which was in its presentation case that I just sewed together that afternoon in the motorhome because I just happened to have fabric in the trunk of my car to make a pillowcase. That never happens. I also had labels that the quilt group I was with on Monday had given me to share with others. That was part of the happenings that don't usually happen.

So his quilt is called Happenstance as all the elements came together in such a unusual happening sort of way. I presented the QOV to him and amidst   tears and hugs, because you know every hug gives you three more minutes of life, and I let everyone know about that so there were many, many hugs and lots of tears and healing and appreciation. What a way to say thank you for your service and welcome home!!

"HAPPENSTANCE"