Recap of 08-16-13 Meeting

We had a great group able to attend this month’s Quilts of Valor meeting – and we all participated and watched our Many Trips Around the World quilt grow into a full blown top! 

The first pic shows Linda in the design stage, making sure the blocks are put up on the design wall properly (not always an easy task – this quilt has only one block turned every which way):

Then, as the line grows at the ironing board, the MTATW rows grow on the wall behind Dawn and Irene:

And it gets bigger and bigger:

 

Diana holds up the rows that she and Judi have sewn

And is finally a completed top!  What a beauty … even without its final borders (to be the correct QOV size) … a member took it home for that so watch for the totally finished quilt next meeting.

And this month we had some fabulous quilts, tops and pillowcases brought in for donation:

 

Yvonne's pillowcase presentation pkg

This was Yvonne’s first attempt at making a pillowcase – she did a great job!

And Debbie brought in this beautiful Stars and Bars quilt that Jadeen and Yvonne finished with a hand-sewn binding and label:

Another beauty from Debbie:

 

(the photo distorts the stripes - sorry)

The gorgeous American Flag Quilt above is a free pattern offered by Fons and Porter.  The download is available at this link:

http://www.fonsandporter.com/articles/American_Flag_Quilt

Since so many of our members like to take home projects in between meetings, Debbie and Linda worked very hard to create some special kits for members-only:

These kits are made up from two different designs – the first is the American Flag pattern shown above - the second is the Warm Wishes pattern from Quiltmaker Magazine and available for download at this link:

http://www.quiltmaker.com/patterns/details.html?idx=5185_

These kits include fabric and pattern instructions and are available only to members at meetings.  They are not available to pick up at the shop – come join us on Fri, Sep 13^th, if you’d like to try one!

So, I can hear you asking yourself “what is the significance of the seemingly ‘backwards’ flags on the quilt above?  Isn’t that wrong?” .  Well, No!  Check this out:

Question: Why is the U.S. flag worn "backwards" on the uniform?

Answer:  …. The flag is worn on the right shoulder, because, in the military, the "place of honor" is to a military member's right.

The full-color U.S. flag cloth replica is worn so that the star field faces forward, or to the flag’s own right. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer’s right, and gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward.
The rule dates back to the Army's early history, when both mounted cavalry and infantry units would designate a standard bearer, who carried the Colors into battle. As he charged, his forward momentum caused the flag to stream back. Since the Stars and Stripes are mounted with the canton closest to the pole, that section stayed to the right, while the stripes flew to the left. .…

The take-away is that you should never miss a QOV meeting … you learn something new every time!  Please join us next month:

September’s meeting will be on Friday the 13^th,

from 10 – 2:00 at the Crafty Threads Quilt Shop.

More meeting times will be published next week, please watch the sidebar for those dates …

Meeting Reminder – Friday, Aug 16th

We will be meeting Friday, Aug 16^th,

from 10:00 – 2:00

at the Crafty Threads Quilt Shop!

Click on this link to learn more.

Bring your lunch or a snack

(or there are some local restaurants)

We will finish up our Mock Trip Around

 the World and check out new projects!

Never been to a Quilts of Valor meeting?

Now is a great time to stop by and check us out.

All are welcome …

August Meeting Notice

August Meeting Date - Friday, August 16^th

 

This month, our Quilts of Valor meeting will include wrapping up the Trip Around the World quilt top that we started last meeting.  And we just might have some special plans (shhh – it’s still a secret!) to liven up our work on the 4^th of July quilts and give them a little extra boost of novelty – you’re gonna want to see this!

We will also have some of our usual activities of sewing, cutting, pressing, and assembling.  Bring whatever tools you want to work with - sewing machine, rotary cutter, ruler, hand sewing needles and thread, etc. - and we will put you to work on your favorite project.

We will be meeting at the Crafty Threads Quilt Shop on Racetrack Rd on Friday, August 16^th from 10:00 – 2:00.

All are invited –

No sewing skills required –

Bring your machine if you like to sew.

 

Birth of the US Coast Guard

Did you know that the US Coast Guard is this country’s oldest continuous seagoing service,  beating out the US Navy by 8 years?  Or that the Coast Guard has had major roles in all US armed conflicts including recent Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom?

It was George Washington that signed a Tariff Act on August 4^th, 1790 that authorized ten vessels (known as “cutters”) to enforce federal tariff and trade laws and to prevent smuggling.  These vessels were known as “revenue cutters”, the “system of cutters” and the Revenue Cutter Service as the Nation grew.

           

USRC Bear - a steam barkentine built in 1847

The US Coast Guard received it’s current name via an act of Congress in 1915 that merged the Revenue Cutter Service with the US Life-Saving Service.   Later transfers into the Coast Guard included the Lighthouse Service (1939) and the Commerce Dept’s Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation (1946).

The Coast Guard is now one of five branches of the US Armed Forces under the auspices of the US Dept. of Homeland Security.  Its responsibilities include Search and Rescue, Maritime Law Enforcement, Aids to Navigation, Ice Breaking, Environmental Protection, Port Security and Military Readiness.

To accomplish its various missions, the Coast Guard has 38,000 active-duty men and women and provides the nation with a single maritime service dedicated to saving life at sea and enforcing the nation’s maritime laws.  It is both a military force and federal law enforcement agency, unique in the Nation and the World.  In times of war, or at the direction of the President, it serves as part of the Navy Dept.

CGC Bertholf  - photo credit: CWO Brian Carlton, USCG

 

So, what role would the Coast Guard play in recent Middle East Conflicts?  Check out these type of activities that occurred during Operation Iraqi Freedom:

2003 - CGC Boutwell departed Alameda, CA in preparation for supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The cutter began operations in the Arabian Gulf on 14 February 2003.  Prior to the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, her crew conducted maritime interception boardings to enforce U.N. sanctions against Iraq.  At the outbreak of hostilities and throughout the conflict, she operated in strategically critical waterways, providing force protection to the massive coalition fleet, securing Iraqi oil terminals, and preventing the movement of weapons, personnel or equipment by Saddam Hussein's regime or other guerilla or terrorist forces. 

2003 - On 18 January CGC Walnut departed from her homeport in Honolulu, Hawaii and began her 10,000 mile transit to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.   The cutter deployed with an oil spill recovery system in the event the regime of Saddam Hussein committed any acts of environmental terrorism.  When those threats did not materialize, the cutter then conducted maritime interception operations enforcing U.N. Security Council resolutions, participated in the search for two downed United Kingdom helicopters, and patrolled and provided assistance to captured Iraqi offshore oil terminals being secured by Coast Guard port security personnel.   The cutter’s crew completely replaced 30 buoys and repaired an additional five along a 41-mile waterway.  Their mission vastly improved the navigational safety of the waterway for humanitarian aid, commercial, and military vessels sailing to the port and was a critical step to economic recovery for the people of Iraq.

2003 - Three Iraqi sailors were captured in the northern Persian Gulf, the first Enemy Prisoners of War taken by Coast Guard forces deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The 24-member crew of CGC Adak plucked the Iraqi sailors from the sea after they had jumped overboard when their patrol boat was destroyed by coalition forces.  The POWs were taken aboard the Adak and later transferred to an undisclosed location.

2003 - During Operation Iraqi Freedom CGC Wrangell escorted the first waterborne humanitarian aid shipment into the port of Umm Qasr without incident, while members of Coast Guard Port Security Unit 311 assisted other coalition forces protecting the harbor.  The shipment, consisting of vital aid donated by numerous countries, was carried aboard the British ship RFA Sir Galahad.

2004 - Damage Controlman Third Class Nathan Bruckenthal, USCG, from Smithtown, New York, and two US Navy sailors were killed in the line of duty while conducting maritime intercept operations in the North Arabian Gulf.  He and six other coalition sailors attempted to board a small boat near an Iraqi oil terminal.  As they boarded the boat it exploded.  Bruckenthal died later from injuries sustained in the explosion.  He was the first Coast Guardsman killed in action since the Vietnam War.  This was his second deployment to the Arabian Gulf for Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.  His shipmate, BM3 Joseph Ruggiero, was also awarded a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in action against the enemy while defending the oil terminal.  They were the first Coast Guard recipients of the Purple Heart since the Vietnam War.  

           

We salute the men and women of the US Coast Guard

and thank them for serving the United State of America!

Sources:      http://www.uscg.mil/history/default.asp

                     http://www.uscg.mil/