Final Awards of 2013

It is only fitting that we close out the year with a post about the last Quilts of Valor our group awarded in 2013.  These were very special to the CT Quilters Group because we considered ourselves very fortunate to be able to recognize father and daughter Veterans at our meeting on Dec 20^th.

You may be familiar with both names since they have appeared on this blog in the past.  That's because both individuals have contributed significantly to the success of the Quilts of Valor Foundation and the CT Quilters QOV Group in particular.

Barb (L) and Pat (R) with our "signature" 4th of July QOV

Barb L. is the owner of the Crafty Threads Quilt Shop in Tamps, FL, where the CT Quilters hold their monthly meetings.  Barb is an Air Force veteran, having served in multiple duty locations (including north of the Arctic Circle – a thoroughly chilling experience – pardon the pun!).

Barb jumped at the chance to register her shop as an Under Our Wings Quilt Shop –Local QOV Group Location.  She has continuously supported the group, not only with meeting space, but also with advice, donations, making award presentations and providing volunteer quilting services as well.  We were very pleased to recognize her continuing commitment to Veterans and give to her our tangible gift of comfort to thank her for her service to the Nation.

Ron's QOV uses the Warms Wishes pattern to convey our sentiments

Let us now we turn our eyes to Ron W., Barb’s father.  Ron is also an Air Force Veteran, having served around the world in a career that included avionics and electronics on virtually all types of aircraft.  His service memories included many postings at home and abroad.  He recalls various posts in southeast Asia and almost 2 years served in-country in Viet Nam.

But in addition to his military service we want to highlight that Ron is also a part of the longarm quilting community!  His volunteer quilting of Quilts of Valor continues to demonstrate his love and respect for his fellow brothers-in-arms and Veterans.  Without Ron’s contributions of his time and quilting expertise, we would not have been able to distribute as many Quilts of Valor to both active duty and retired Veterans here in our local community and in Germany and Hawaii.

We were especially proud and gratified to be able to award Ron with his very own Quilt of Valor.  We wanted to convey our thank you for his service under often difficult circumstances and during very trying times for our Country, and for his continuing commitment to Veterans.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, BARB AND RON!

Merry Christmas!

http://vintageholidaycrafts.com/

Recap of 12-20-13 Meeting

This was our last Quilts of Valor meeting for 2013 and we sure made the most of it.  We were missing some of our regulars that were traveling for the Holidays, so we have lots of pictures to share so you can feel like you were with us!

First, we had some tops come in to be paired with backings so they’ll be ready to go to the longarm quilters:

 

4-Patch and Stripes

Big Block Stars

Lisa's Curved Log Cabin had borders added by Pat N

Hot Dog Stars Mystery Quilt

And we had some gorgeous quilts come back in that volunteers had taken home to hand-sew the bindings and labels on.  These are now finished and ready to be awarded:

 

Gettysburg Mystery Quilt

Patriotic Strippie

Strippie with Eagles

We don’t have photos of the quilts that came back in all quilted with the bindings machine sewed by Linda F., because our volunteers snatched those up immediately when the meeting started so they could hand-sew the bindings, so we’ll show those completed next month – but a big thank you goes out to Linda F for those!

And these are the quilts that came back in from our longarmer, Pat B – these are beautiful – another big CT Quilters thank you goes out to Pat!

Pat B with one of the intricately quilted quilts

These are two of the four the wall hangings that are in process.  They were requested by a friend to our group in Volunteer Services who is now affiliated with the VA Hospital in Memphis, TN.  The other two were posted last month.  These will likely be sent out before our next meeting, so I’m including the photo here:

These great panels were located by our new member, Jill.  These will be turning into fantastic quilts in the future:

 

Sharon (L) and Jill (R) show off the panels

And an anonymous donor left us with these darling patriotic appliqués that we will put to good use – thank you, Anonymous!

 

Janet displays the applique panel

We did have one special birthday this month (we actually had two – but Barb was the only one able to attend):

 

Barb with her birthday cupcake

These are some pics of the ladies at work, just to prove we cranked out a lot of projects before breaking for the potluck lunch (which was marvelous …):

 

Hand sewing and cutting

Waiting for another top to layout

Writing labels

Sewing on bindings

Sewing on borders

We’re looking forward to next month and all of the meetings scheduled for 2014.

  We will be having two scheduled meetings a month, beginning in January.

  Check the sidebar for those dates and see what fits best into your calendar!

Awarding a Quilt of Valor

We were very proud to be able to award Lt Col Paul Cooper (Ret) with a Quilt of Valor today in a ceremony at the Crafty Threads Quilt Shop.  Crafty Threads is the "Under Our Wings" shop registered with the Quilts of Valor Foundation that sponsors our CT Quilters QOV Group.

Barb Linares-owner of Crafty Threads (and a Veteran) with Paul and his QOV

Paul had so many interesting stories to tell, so we asked him to go back to relate some of his experiences beginning with his active duty service back in 1971.  Paul had enlisted (after graduation from college where he was in ROTC) and he attended the last officer training class at Ft Sill (Oklahoma) that was sent to Vietnam.  [ editor’s note:  The Field Artillery branch of the US Army traces it roots back to 1775 and the Continental Congress and is known as the “King of Battle”.  The home of the Field Artillery is at Ft Sills. What a noble lineage Paul was signing up with …]

On completion of his training, Paul was commissioned as a 2^nd Lieutenant and almost immediately sent to Southeast Asia.  He recalled arriving in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, on SuperBowl Sunday and listening to the game on the radio (for those of you techies who are wondering, there’s a 12 hour time difference from Vietnam to the US).

Cam Ranh Bay is now one of the most beautiful deep water harbors in the world.  During the Vietnam War it was turned into a major supply entrance point with off-loading ramps for large cargo vessels.  In addition, a US Air Force Base was constructed there with the large runways required for huge cargo and troop transport aircraft.  It was a beehive of activity when Paul arrived.

 

Pershing II Test Flight 1983

During his career, Paul was also assigned to one of only three Pershing missile units.  One unit was always on full alert in Germany, one was at stand-down and one remained in the United States.  “Pershing” were solid-fueled 2-stage medium range ballistic missiles used as the US Army’s primary nuclear capable theater-level weapons.

Subsequent to his active duty service, Paul remained in the Army Reserve while building his civilian career.  He earned his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree and worked for National Airlines.  He is now officially retired from the military after 30 years of service to the United States, active duty and Reserves.  And remember that this man was promoted repeatedly, for his competency and particular expertise, from his initial rank of 2^nd Lieutenant to his retirement rank of Lt Colonel – well done, Paul!

 

(L to R) Heather, Joe, Amy, Linda (Paul's wife) and Paul

We were fortunate that some members of Paul’s family could be on hand at the ceremony as we recognized Paul’s contributions to the security of our Nation.  We greatly respect his willingness to serve and preserved our freedoms during very trying times.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, PAUL, FROM THE

CT QUILTERS QOV GROUP AND

THE QUILTS OF VALOR FOUNDATION!

Label of Paul's Quilt of Valor

A Holiday Message from Pat

It has been three years since the CT Quilters Group, based at the Crafty Threads Quilt Shop, was formed.  We spent most of 2011 meeting once a month to develop a system for how to produce Quilts of Valor.

We began by creating block kits to be available for shop customers to check out and complete.  We had established what pattern we wanted to use as our signature quilt and then engineered a system to make up block kits.  As those kits were returned, we began laying out tops and piecing.  We added borders and then prepared the tops for quilting.

In 2012, we presented 25 quilts to deserving veterans who have made sacrifices to protect our Nation’s freedoms.  To date in 2013 we have passed the 25-quilt mark; but we aren’t finished this year yet.  We have an additional 13 quilts to present and have 4 more coming back from a local long-armer for us to put the finishing touches on.

During the past three years, our Group has expanded from that initial 7 people that met to figure out how this was going to work.  Along the way, we have grown to 30 plus members who give of their time at the meetings, and an untold number of volunteers who take the block kits home and keep our supply chain going for us to make quilt tops.  The dictionary defines ‘giving’ as “to make a present of “, it goes on to define ‘giving out’ as “to distribute”.  This is what the CT Quilters Group does.

But, during this Holiday Season we also get to reflect on the present we receive in this endeavor of ours.  Our members come from many walks of life - some are veterans, some are married to veterans, some are the daughters, sisters and mothers of veterans, and some just appreciate veterans to the extent that they want to contribute.  So, as we sew each seam, we rejoice in the fact that our loved ones and yours have kept us free.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Pat Neville

CT Quilters Group Leader, 2011-2013

PS  We always have needs for donations of fabric (red, white, blue, beige, gold, sage green, camouflage, etc) and/or batting (twin size - 100% cotton or thin poly preferred) to help during our meeting times and the long-arming of quilts.

   Thank you!

Bill of Rights Day

December 15th is Bill of Rights Day, celebrating the addition of the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution on that date in 1791.  This holiday celebrates the freedoms and rights that the Bill of Rights preserve for Americans.   In 1941, on the 150th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the date a federal holiday.

The first ten Amendments to the Constitution form the Bill of Rights.  When the Constitution was ratified, many signers believed that these Amendments were needed to insure certain fundamental human rights were preserved – many of them the specific liberties and freedoms we enjoy today.

Signer’s Hall at the National Constitution Center - it features 42 life-size bronze statues that visitors can walk among

Can you name each Amendment making up the Bill of Rights?  Click on each of the ten listed below to learn  more courtesy of the National Constitution Center* on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, PA:

Amendment 1

Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition

Amendment 2

Right to Bear Arms

Amendment 3

Quartering of Soldiers

Amendment 4

Search and Seizure

Amendment 5

Grand Jury, Double Jeopardy, Self-Incrimination, Due Process, Takings

Amendment 6

Right to Speedy Trial by Jury, Witnesses, Counsel

Amendment 7

Jury Trial in Civil Lawsuits

Amendment 8

Excessive Fines, Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Amendment 9

Non-Enumerated Rights Retained by People

Amendment 10

Rights Reserved to States or People

*The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia is a hands-on museum, national town hall, and civic education headquarters celebrating the United States Constitution and the story of “We the People.” Learn more at constitutioncenter.org

December Meeting Notice

December Meeting Date - Friday, December 20^th

You are especially invited to attend our Quilts of Valor meeting.

We meet once a month at the Crafty Threads Quilt Shop

12330 Racetrack Rd, Tampa

From 10:00 – 2:00

You do not need to sign up to attend!

No sewing skills are required –

But you can bring your rotary cutter/mat,

or hand sewing sewing needles and thread (red/white/blue)

 or even bring your machine if you like to sew. 

We have lots of "loose ends" to tidy up.

SPECIAL POT LUCK LUNCH AT THIS MEETING –

- A HAM WILL BE PROVIDED - 
BRING A SIDE DISH TO SHARE!!

December Meeting Date - Friday, December 20^th

A Very Special QOV Award Opportunity

One of the members of the  CT Quilters Quilts of Valor Group, Linda F., and her husband, Richard, were able to take an awesome cruise recently in the Western Caribbean.   This landmark cruise was the first-ever event sponsored by Princess Cruise Lines to support US Veterans and to feature special military guests and speakers.  According to Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Founder and President Jan C. Scruggs, “ It [the cruise] was designed to honor the service of the members of our military and their families who sacrifice daily to secure the freedoms we all enjoy.”

Princess Cruise Lines is a Commemorative Partner with the USA Vietnam War Commemoration, a national program conducted under the leadership of the Department of Defense to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.  This Princess Cruise sailing raised funds for two respected veterans’ organizations - Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Inc. and Operation Homefront Inc.  The voyage was expected to generate $1 million for the two charities.

Special guests included former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen (Ret.); retired senior officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force (former Army Chief of Staff General George Casey (Ret.), former Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz (Ret.), and former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead (Ret.), who each hosted military branch gatherings throughout the voyage); award-winning war correspondent, Joe Galloway; and other respected speakers, authors and panelists.

  

Alan Buckelew

Linda F. (who is also a QOVF Regional Rep in addition to being a CT Quilter), was able to take this unique opportunity to award a wonderfully made Quilt of Valor to Princess President and CEO, Alan Buckelew, a  veteran himself, who was on board to host the cruise.  Buckelew served in the US Army in Vietnam from June 1969 to June 1970, as part of a recon platoon called Fox Force.  In 2009, Buckelew was able to return to Vietnam, this time as a tourist.  Read more about his service and that remarkable visit at this link.
 

Alan and his wife at the presentation

Linda awarded the Quilt of Valor to Buckelew at the Champagne Dinner on the Veteran’s Cruise.  This beautiful quilt was designed, pieced and bound by Linda.  Her fellow CT Quilter, Kathy T., did the quilting.

Thank You, Alan Buckelew, for your service to our Country!

We Remember

Today, 72 years later, we salute those veterans who served at Pearl Harbor on December 7^th, 1941.  As we recall the “day which will live in infamy”, we pause to have a moment of remembrance for those that gave their lives, for those that survived and for those that followed after in service to our Nation.

 

A Navy launch pulls up to the USS West Virginia to rescue sailors (US Navy/AP)

The Freedom Bell in Washington, DC – cast in bronze with metal from the World Trade Center – rang today in honor of those who served in the armed forces.  Skydivers also unfurled American flags over Pearl Harbor.

 

Pearl Harbor Memorial

A heartfelt thank-you from a grateful people is not enough for those that continue to maintain our freedoms and ideals.  We will continue to support these brave men and women and let them know that we care.