Seven deserving LaSalle Parish veterans were honored Thursday night, October 9, as the Quilts of Valor Foundation presented them with personalized quilts.
The moving ceremony took place at Nolley Methodist Church in Jena as volunteers with Quilts of Valor were present to recognize the veterans for their service.
Schelia Rabalais, a volunteer with Quilts of Valor Foundation and part of a group of ladies from Central Louisiana who quilt for the organization, spoke during the ceremony.
“Our members make quilts and award them to veterans and active service personnel throughout our state,” she said. “We are part of a network of over 11,000 volunteers all across the country and we use donations of fabrics, money and time to create the quilts we award.”
The idea for the Quilts of Valor (QOV) organization began in 2003, when a quilter named Catherine Roberts had a dream about providing a comforting quilt to her son who was deployed to Iraq. Since then, over 425,000 Quilts of Valor have been awarded in the United States and around the world.
“Our mission is to honor our service members and veterans who have protected our great nation, both on the front lines and behind the scenes,” Roberts told the crowd last Thursday as she was joined by two other QOV volunteers.
The seven awardees were: William E. Appleby, US Air Force; Wesley Dillard, US Air Force; John S. Grimm, US Army; Nere H. Ourso, United States Air Force; Kaylan M. Randall, US Army National Guard; Rodney Russell, US Army; and J.W. Thomas, US Army.
“The quilts we award to you today were made by Quilt of Valor volunteers and they send the quilts to you along with a threepart message,” Roberts said. “First, we honor you for your service in our military. We honor you for setting aside your personal dreams and plans and for standing ready for duty wherever you were needed, knowing you could be called to serve in any crisis, protecting us from the effects of war.”
“Next, our quilters know that freedom is not free,” she continued. “The cost of our freedom is the dedication of lives of men like you. You pledged to give your country whatever was asked of you, and this quilt is meant to say thank you for your sacrifice.”
“And finally, this quilt is meant to offer comfort to you and to remind you that your service to our country is truly appreciated,” Roberts concluded. “Service members and veterans embody the values of dedication, sacrifice and courage. Their commi tment to protecting our freedoms, wh e t h e r through direct combat or essential support roles, has been vital in ensuring our safety and security. Everyone’s contribution to the collective mission is invaluable and deserves our utmost gratitude and recognition.”
Each quilt was specially hand made by volunteers and on the back of the quilt is a label that allows future generations of their families to know what they have done for the United States.
“As of today, this quilt becomes part of your life story,” she said. “We hope you will keep this quilt with you as a tangible reminder that there are thousands of men and women across this land who are forever in your debt and it is our privilege to honor you with a Quilt of Valor.”
For more information about the Quilt of Valor Foundation, visit www.qovf.org. At the website, information can be found for those interested in volunteering or submitting a veteran for the special quilt award.
