How do I begin describing such an incredible weekend and get it right so you all can feel what I wish everyone of you could feel. Some of you have never delivered a quilt in person or attended a Patriotic event that makes Quilts of Honor so special. You do the hard work, stay home and sew, sew, sew. I hope you will be able to feel all the great things that happened this weekend as we honored all our Veterans and those who sacrificed it all.
On Friday Night I met Sochi in Stockton. Most of you don’t know who she is as she has been behind the scenes, but get use to her name. I think after this weekend, she’s hooked. I had never attended this event before and remember, I’m a home body and taking off my jeans and boots to dress up – Oh, boy – what you do to get QOH out there. Both of us were late as we got lost on the way – par for the course I guess. We were seated at Table 2, right up front next to the stage and I’m thinking couldn’t we have been in the back like hiding. As I was introduced to everyone at the table I realized I was sitting with two different fathers who had lost their sons, a grandmother and teenage sister who had lost their grandson and brother. When the music started the soloist belted out every patriotic song you could think of and you could feel the emotion in the room. What a start to a big weekend.
Sitting at the table next to us was Ronnie, a wounded warrior who had been burned over 95% of his body. When he got up to speak, standing next to him was an older man whose son saved Ronnie’s life but lost his in battle. Then the Admiral of the Navy, who came from DC to honor the fallen, spoke about what the Medics in the Navy go through on the battlefield. Later I met him and he said our quilts are the best and he had handed out many in his career. He wanted me to thank all the ladies who make our quilts. Then, to top it off, they introduced a wounded warrior from Texas, Allen, who had lost both legs in Vietnam – that’s another story. If every one of you could have been at that dinner, your tears would have flowed.
On Sunday, Debbie and I took off to meet Flo and spend the day in Manteca, CA at the “Not Forgotten…Honoring All Who Served, Remembering All Who Have Fallen” event. We had never attended this event – it was the 10th year. We set up our booth even though it was pretty windy and sometimes we thought the tent was going to be a kite. We couldn’t hang our quilts like we wanted but I guess we did good – we made the most money we ever made at a show selling t-shirts and raffle tickets for a quilt. We never really got to view the goings on as we were always busy.
Our first quilt was awarded to a woman active duty Sergeant. She walked in to see the quilts and began telling us that she had gotten back from Afghanistan – I turned and reached for a quilt. She kept saying, “For me? I can’t believe this.” Her husband just kept taking pictures.
Then up walks a couple with a child. The Dad looked down at our pin case and I asked him if he was a veteran – he said yes. I reached in the case and gave him a Veterans Pin – this big young man began to cry. Debbie and I looked at each other. I asked him if he had a quilt and he said he received one when he was in the wounded and in the hospital. He said his mom had taken it and had lost it. Here I go again – I got a quilt out, took his hand to thank him for his service and told him, “This is yours.” He started to cry and couldn’t talk. When they left, Debbie and I said it was going to be a long day.
We sell Pins in two display cases – we don’t have a lot but they do look and often buy a pin. Then, here comes another guy – he sees the Purple Heart pins and says he needs one please. He said he was wounded in Vietnam – we just gave him a pin. When Debbie gave him that pin he started crying and hugging her. After he walked away, Debbie said this is too much.
Another Veteran came to the booth and asked for two Purple Hearts – he was a Vietnam veteran. I walked over, got a quilt and presented it to him. He said, “no way you’re giving it to me.” I said yes we were and you could see his smile.
Flo had been helping in the booth but had to leave to go pick up her mother-in-law. When she got back we told her what she had missed. Then up walks another guy – “Purple Heart pin please.” Well, by this time I was ready and out came another quilt. I handed it to him and he began to cry. Flo’s mother-in-law was sitting in a chair watching, Daniel was so emotional he couldn’t tell us his name and took his driver’s license out of his wallet and of course hugging on Debbie crying. When Daniel had left, Flo’s mother-in-law walked up to me, put both her arms on my shoulders and said, “Gail I had no idea what this was like. Flo tells me how proud she is to do this but when you see how thankful they are, it’s unbelievable. I’m so glad I could see this.” Ruth is in her 80’s and lost her son from the Vietnam War through injuries. Ruth watched Flo take care of Johnny for 41 years.
We also awarded to Earl the Pearl Watson, WWII. He had been a bodyguard to Elvis Presley and what stories this man can tell. He gave Quilts of Honor his book and told me he is working on a movie and would put the quilt in the movie so maybe the quilt will be famous.
Then we gave to Allen Clark, a Silver Star recipient from Vietnam who had lost both his legs. I didn’t know he was speaking at the event so when I heard his voice, off I went to the stage. I just walked right out there in front of tons of people and Pastor Mike said this is a Quilt of Honor and asked how many we had done. I answered and then headed to Allen. He kept saying this is so nice and held up his case and then we took out the quilt and everyone ooed and ahhed. Back to the booth I went. All day long Sochi followed us and saw how busy the booth was. We sold over 40 T-shirts.
Our last quilt was given to Pastor Mike, and Vietnam Veteran. Congressman Jeff Denham came to the booth so he could honor Pastor Mike, too. The Congressman is a big man – I stepped on his foot by accident and said excuse me then looked at his foot and said, “Sir, you have a big foot.” He cracked up. He said this is a great thing we are doing and Sochi took pictures of us in front of the flag with the quilt and Pastor Mike – what a photo op that was.
We got to talk to the Admiral of the Navy who is in charge of wounded and medics in DC and he is planning on coming to the show.
Everywhere we turned this weekend I would say God blessed us. I finished my weekend honoring all with taps at Ripon Cemetery with my Women’s Army Corps Band Sister, Linda.
So, what a great Memorial Weekend we had. I still will be playing Bugle Calls for the school on Wednesday but hope things will go back to ‘some kind’ of normal. Thank you to all who helped this weekend and to all who had events.
Bexar County, Texas drove through floods to award quilts over the weekend – that is dedication – thank you and God bless you. School House Quilters are going like gang busters and when we all get together in DC, they better look out.
Until next time, God bless and keep up the quilting – the need is great.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Gail
-
-
Manteca – Over 6,000 Crosses since 2001
-
-
Jeremiah, OIF, Purple Heart Recipient
-
-
Gwydell, Vietnam Veteran, 2 Purple Hearts
-
-
Ben, Vietnam Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient
Read Full Post »
Quilts of Honor 