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!