Just a Reminder …

Our Quilts of Valor Group will be meeting TOMORROW,

Friday, July 18^th AND Monday, July 21^st

From 10:00 – 4:00

At Crafty Threads Quilt Shop!

Bring a lunch/snack or visit a local

restaurant when we take a mid-day break.

See this post: 

http://tinyurl.com/ospmdo2

Interesting Facts :

 

Did you know our newest member is Susan Key!

 

Did you know that we have 47 members on our Roster!  Of these 44 have email addresses; 3 do not!

 

Did you know that 8 of our members longarm the majority of our quilts!

 

Did you know that we awarded 25 quilts in 2012!

 

Did you know that we awarded 37 quilts in 2013!

 

Did you know that as of July 15th we have awarded 49 quilts so far, we have an additional 3 that Loretta is awarding!

 

Did you know that our awards so far this year is over a 100% increase of what we awarded in 2012!

 

Did you know my records show 6 birthdays in July to celebrate at our meetings!

 

Did you know that we have contacted and done all the paperwork required by the QOVF showing our 111 quilts awarded so far! ( I know cause I have it all on file)

 

Did you know that Debbie's leadership this year has resulted in new patterns, donations, and meeting twice a month!

 

Did you know how many man hours goes into creating our Blog each month - I don't and I'm afraid to ask Kathy!

 

http://qov-ctquiltersgroup.blogspot.com/

 

 

Did you know that Sharon maintains a log of our longarmers!

 

Did you know that we received donations from the men at Aston Gardens Veterans Club!

 

Did you know that Diana is the person to see with donations of fabric and materials to work with!

 

Did you know that Debbie came up with a block of the month pattern for us to work on to make some interesting quilts!

 

Did you know that a lot of our members use their stash to make QOVs and bring them in!

 

Did you know that QOV is dear to Barb's heart being a veteran!

 

Did you know that Linda Fentriss is not only the State of Florida Rep for QOVF but a Navy veteran!  We awarded her a quilt in May!

 

Did you know that in addition to the Blog Kathy takes most of our pictures!

 

Did you know that one of our Longarmers Patricia Barrett's husband is now an officer of the QOVF!

 

Did you know that Elizabeth and Alex are always ready to help when needed at CT, also Ron!

 

Did you know that I hope you look at the Blog often!

 

Did you know if you don't have a nametag its my fault so let me know and I'll make one!

 

Did you know that Debbie sent you a meeting announcement this week and it talked about the Importance of Women's Friendships!

 

Did you know I am finishing my facts for now!

 

See ya at a meeting,

 

Pat Neville

July Meeting Notice

July Meeting Dates –

Friday, July 18^th and Monday, July 21^st

You are welcome to attend one or both meetings of our

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

anytime 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!

We will be putting some kits together and working

 on the Block of the Month Sampler.

 There will also be some hand sewing to be done

Mark Your Calendar

July Meeting Dates –

Friday, July 18^th and Monday, July 21^st

Special Award

A member of the CT Quilters QOV Group, Diana H., was able to award this special Quilt of Valor to US Army Master Sergeant (Retired) Joe G. in May, 2014.  Joe had admired this pattern in one of Diana’s quilt magazines and Diana secretly tackled this challenging project.

Even Joe’s Quilt Inspector was impressed with the work that went into this quilt!  It’s just beautiful, Diana, and a wonderful tribute to Joe for his service

Thank you, Joe, for giving so much of your

time and talents in service to our Country. 

We greatly appreciate it.

The Liberty Bell

It was on July 8^th in 1776 that the Liberty Bell rang to

summon everyone to hear the reading

of the Declaration of Independence. 

Do you remember learning about the Liberty Bell – maybe in 4^th or 5^th grade?  When we think back on those lessons, it’s usually the famous crack that we recall.  The original bell, destined for the Pennsylvania State House, was made by John Pass and John Stow in England and it cracked soon after it arrived in America in 1751.  A second bell was cast in 1753 using metal from the first and it rang many times for public pronouncements.  The last time it was rung was in 1846 for a celebration of George Washington’s birthday, but by that time another thin crack had appeared that was affecting its sound.

The bell weighs about 2000 pounds and is made primarily of copper and tin.  It now hangs from what is believed to be its original yoke of American Slippery Elm.

The inscription includes the names of the makers and a Bible verse:

“Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof”

 (Leviticus 25:10)

It was not actually referred to as the “Liberty Bell” until the 1830s when a group trying to outlaw slavery adopted it as a symbol for their cause.  In the late 1800s, the Liberty Bell traveled around the Nation to be exhibited and help heal the divisions of the War Between the States.  It now resides in Independence Hall (in the background of the above photo) in Philadelphia, PA where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed.

Today, let us remember and thank the personnel

of the Armed Forces that continue to fight

for our liberties and Let Freedom Ring!

Celebrate Independence Day!

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]