June Meeting Recap

Just a quick recap of one of the June meetings:

Some donations of cotton partial flag blocks for a quilt top and nylon flag fabric (possibly for a banner and display tablecloth):

A mystery quilt top made by Debbie:

Quilts quilted:

Kathy

Sandy

Sandy

Sandy

And last, but never least, the ladies hard at work!

QOV Award

Recently, Joanne S., one of our own CT Quilters here in Florida, was able to travel to her home area up in Massachusetts and had the privilege of awarding not one, but TWO, Quilts of Valor to her cousins who have proudly served their Country.

At the end of May, Joanne presented a QOV to Ronald N, who served with the US Army, including time spent in France.

 

Ronald

And then in early June, Joanne was able to deliver a QOV to Donald N, who also served with the US Army, including being posted to Germany.

 

Donald and Chrissy N.

We want to join with Joanne to thank

these gentlemen for their service!

 

Liberty:  One of Imagination’s most precious possessions.

>>> Amrose Bierce

Meeting Reminder - Fri, Jun 20th and Mon, Jun 23rd

Just a Reminder …

Our Quilts of Valor Group will be meeting TOMORROW,

Friday, June 20^th and Monday, June 23^rd

From 10:00 – 4:00

At the Crafty Threads Quilt Shop!

The last of the quilt kits is in the basket at Crafty Threads.  Looks like we will need to cut more strips for some more kits at this meeting.  There are 2 quilts tops that need to be sewn together and quilt tops that need matching backs sewn.

For those that are interested, we will be working on a "Block of the Month" type Quilt during the summer months.  The quilt pattern is called "Independence Quilt" and there are 5 different blocks.  We will work on 1 - 2 blocks each month.  Our 1st two quilt blocks are fairly simple and use mostly red and white material cut in strips

 that are 2" - 2 1/2" wide and 5" - 18 1/2" long. 

Bring a lunch/snack or visit a local

restaurant when we take a mid-day break.

Flag Day

There was an interesting article posted by Leona Foxx on the Huffington Post Blog titled “Flag Day, June 14:  Does It Still Have Meaning?”.

Read the article and if you agree, applaud the people of Fairfield, Washington who start the morning of Flag Day with a Fun Run, followed by a Flag Parade and games, booths and a beer garden.

 

credit:The Spokesman-Review

Or the folks in Quincy, Massachusetts with the Longest Running Flag Day Parade in the Nation.  Besides the Parade, they have the raising of a 30’ x 60’ Old Glory, a fly-over, a patriotic medley, an awards ceremony and a dazzling fireworks display.

Or our fellow Americans over in Troy, NY who claim the Largest Flag Day Parade that typically draws 50,000 spectators.

 

Tri-County Council Vietnam Era Vets

Proudly fly your flag on this Flag Day to honor the adoption of the American Flag on June 14^th 1777, the continuing preservation of the American way of life and pay your respects to the men and women who defend it.

Commemorative Poster on the 140th Anniversary of the Flag - 1917

June 14, 2014

This date also represents the 239^th Birthday of the US Army.  Celebratory events that kicked off last week included this one at the National War College at Ft. McNair:

The young man in the middle represented the Continental Army,

was the youngest soldier present and had the honor of cutting the cake.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, US ARMY!

June Meeting Notice

June Meeting Dates –

Friday, June 20^th and Monday, June 23^rd

You are welcome to attend one or both meetings of our

Quilts of Valor group and stay the entire time or join us

for as long as you can between 10 – 4:00 on meeting days.

We meet at the Crafty Threads Quilt Shop

12330 Racetrack Rd, Tampa

From 10:00 – 4:00

You do not need to sign up to attend!

SPECIAL ACTIVITES DURING SUMMER MEETINGS!

We will be making a Sampler Quilt during the Summer Months with different featured blocks each month.  Pop in when you can, as vacation plans and travel schedules allow.  We will have kits of these blocks available for you to take home and return.  Here’s a sneak preview of ONE sample block – easy-peasy to work up - the others are easy, too!

 Mark Your Calendar

June Meeting Dates –

Friday, June 20^th and Monday, June 23^rd

Remembering D-Day 1944

The Normandy Region – June 6^th 1944 …

Normandy and 4 other beaches were the sites of the landing of some 156,000 British, American and Canadian Allied forces in northern France, over 50-miles of heavily fortified coastline occupied by Nazi German forces.  The region was divided into 5 sectors known as:  Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword Beach.  It was the largest such amphibious landing in history.  Aircraft, numbering over 11,000, were mobilized to provide air cover and support.  Less than a week later, the beaches were totally secured.  Within weeks, over 1 million invading Allied forces would land.

 

CREDIT: U.S. Maritime Commission. "Bird's-eye view of landing craft, barrage balloons, and allied troops landing in Normandy, France on D-Day." June 6, 1944. New York World-Telegram and Sun Collection. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress.

This was the event that began to turn the tide in favor of the Allied forces in World War II.  And this was the sacrifice:

Credit: American Battle Monuments Commission

Normandy American Cemetery today …

This cemetery overlooks Omaha Beach and the English Channel.  It was the first US cemetery to be established in Europe (June 8, 1944) and holds the graves of more than 9,300 US servicemen who dies in the D-Day invasion or subsequent missions.

Normandy Beach, France today … an historic and picturesque region.  Beautiful architecture, rolling green landscape with lovely views, the occasional farmhouse and cows. 

Today we stop to honor the brave men and women who sacrificed and struggled to free a suffering humanity and preserve our way of life.  Today, and in the future, we will support our active duty military and our Veterans of the armed forces … and we will remember.

Credit:  The History Channel and http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day

100,000 Quilts of Valor

100,000 QOV's

By Susan Gordon, 

Executive Director

Quilts of Valor Foundation

  

The 100,000th

Quilt of Valor-and Beyond

"Stitching Beyond the 100,000th Quilt of Valor" is our theme for 2014, emblazoned on this year's official Quilts of Valor lapel pin, proudly worn by many of us.

It is my great pleasure to announce to all of you that as of May 31, 2014, we have awarded 101,034 Quilts of Valor!

Together, let us celebrate all Quilts of Valor Foundation has accomplished as an all-volunteer organization, and in just ten and a half years! You have made a difference in the lives of many veterans and service members, and we all can take pride in reaching this milestone.

Many of you awarded Quilts of Valor during the month of May, which means your quilt may have been the 100,000^th quilt. What fun to imagine your recipient may have been wrapped in that special quilt! Whether you awarded a quilt last month or not, each one of you is part of a 10,000-strong volunteer army of toppers, longarmers, and donors who have honored and comforted 101,034 touched by war.

Take a moment to enjoy what we have accomplished together. Then, let's get back to sewing and longarming - we have many more to warriors to wrap in Quilts of Valor.

Thank you for your loving hearts, your talented hands, your generous giving and your dedication to our mission.

Well done,

 

Susan Gordon, Executive Director

Quilts of Valor Foundation

susan.gordon@QOVF.org

[source credit: Quilts of Valor Foundation Newsletter - Jun 2, 2014]