Covering our military

BY KARMA CHAMPAGNE, THE DAILY IBERIAN | Posted: Monday, December 3, 2012 9:37 am

Members of the BeriBees Quilters Club were busy this year stitching quilts of love filled with prayers and healing thoughts to benefit military service members and veterans.

As part of the national Quilts of Valor Foundation mission, 10 quilts crafted by several of the club members will be offered as a cover of love and gratitude for the sacrifices soldiers made for their country for the sake of freedom.

Jean Stokes said she has been active in the program for almost six years and has devoted countless hours to the program, crafting more than 25 quilts to show her appreciation to America’s military servicemen.

“It’s a way to say thank you and to give something back to a soldier who has made so many sacrifices,” said Stokes. 

“Quilting is very calming, but to know you are doing it for someone who did so much for us, makes it special.”

Stokes said a special message to each soldier that is attached with the quilt exemplifies the love and gratitude that goes into each stitch. 

“Our message to the soldier is: ‘The stitches in the quilt represent the love and gratitude for your sacrifice, from your country. The batting within represents the warmth and comfort afforded you from this community. The backing is the strength of this quilt. May you find love, warmth, comfort and strength,’ ” said Stokes. 

QOV became a national grassroots community effort in 2003 to connect the home-front with wounded combat warriors and veterans. 

Diane Grevemberg, club president, said the idea originated from Blue Star mom Catherine Roberts, from her sewing room in Seaford, Del. Her son Nathanael’s yearlong deployment to Iraq provided the initial inspiration and her desire to see that returning warriors were welcomed home with the love and gratitude they deserved.

Roberts hit upon the idea that linking quilt-toppers with machine quilters in a national effort could achieve her goal of coverall for all returning men and women touched by war.

Grevemberg said the quilts can be awarded at many different levels through the national program. They are often shipped overseas to military hospitals, awarded to entire service units returning from combat deployments, awarded to veterans associations or presented individually. 

“Most of the ladies in the club like to know where the quilts are going and award them individually, but we are trying to make more to send to the national foundation,” said Grevemberg.

At 11 a.m. Dec. 15 at the St. Peter Branch Library, club members will express their gratitude to four military servicemen by awarding Quilts of Valor. Receiving the honors are Luke Lucas, a New Iberia veteran wounded in the Vietnam War; Joseph Bastian of Loreauville, a World War II veteran; Clarence W. Tate of New Iberia, a World War II veteran and Barry Guidry of Lafayette, who was wounded in Afghanistan. The remaining six quilts will be distributed individually.

The public is invited to the presentation and social.

Stokes said the quilts are not awarded only to veterans who have been physically wounded.

“All veterans who come back from war have been wounded. There are lots of different ways to be wounded. Every soldier who has been to war has been touched by it in some way,” said Stokes.

As of May, there have been 65,000 quilts awarded nationally to service members and veterans. 

Under the national guidelines, Stokes said each quilt must include a Quilt of Valor label with a name of the recipient and names of the quilter and the person who pieced it. The presentation case is a coordinating pillowcase or bag in which to place the quilt.

Vicki Clement, who has been quilting for more than 10 years, said she got involved with the project to show her appreciation to soldiers for their service and valor. She just completed her second QOV quilt and is planning to make more. 

“Each quilt tells a story and this is one way to say thank you for what they are doing for our country,” said Clement.

“It is a way to cover them with appreciation, love and gratitude for the sacrifices they made so we can enjoy our freedom.”

Clement selected to use a center panel for her quilt depicting stars flanked over a mountain, a flag draped over the top, an eagle mounted to the side and horses at the bottom of the mountain. 

“The panel symbolizes patriotism and bravery. The mountain reminds me of the challenge each soldier faced in overcoming an obstacle, the eagle signifies bravery, and the stars show we are a United Nation under God,” she said. “The horses symbolize the freedom, courage, strength, power, wisdom and loyalty of our soldiers.” 

Georgia Courville of Catahoula has been quilting for 30 years and considers the Quilts of Valor as project worthy of her time. Courville said she became involve in the project last year and has pieced and quilted two quilts for family members who served in Afghanistan. 

“It is just a small thank you for all they do for us,” she said.

To add an extra challenge among the quilters, Grevemberg said the quilts were displayed at judged for top honors. Ribbons were awarded to Jean Stokes, first place; Vicki Clement, second place; Georgia Courville, third place and Diane Grevemberg and Claire Fitzpatrick, honorable mentions.