News : Hess and Hill presented Quilts of Valor

Jerry & Lois Hill at the Quilts of Valor presentation where Jerry was thanked for his service.

Lawrence Hess, with his family, presented with a quilt in honor of his service by Quilts of Valor

The Quilts of Valor Foundation is one of those groups that are on a mission. Their goal is to "cover all service members and veterans touched by war with a comforting and healing quilt of valor."

The program was started in 2003 by a Blue Star Mom. (Blue Star, means that they have a son or daughter serving in active service in the United States Armed Services) It began in the sewing room of Catherine Roberts in Seaford, Deleware. Her son Nathanael was deployed to Iraq at the time.

She came up with the idea to welcome troops home with love and gratitude but linking quilt top maker and machine quilters together to create "healing quilts" to the service men and women that were returning and who had been touched by war.

The Quilts of Valor are a reminder of the appreciation and gratitude to service members.

Over time, the program has expanded to include military service members and veterans touched by war regardless of the conflict-declared war or otherwise.

The quilts are stitched with love and prayer and healing thoughts by those creating the gifts.

The foundation is an ongoing national effort which connects civilians and service members and veterans but also at times veterans with other veterans.

The quilts are made as a token of appreciation to say, "Thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor."

To date, 214,502 quilts have been donated to veterans.

Locally Rita Moore has helped to create 40 such quilts saying, "I sew quilts for everyone that I nominate." It has been a passion of hers.

Rita Moore, pictured on the right, made the two quilts presented at the Vinton Lutheran Home on Saturday morning. Also presenting the quilts was Elayne Gassett the Quilts of Valor Group leader of the Freedom Stitchers of Iowa.

The quilt on the left was presented to Hess, a resident of the Lutheran Home and the quilt on the right was made for Jerry Hill, also a resident.

Jerry Hill above and joined by his grandson Jared Hill and son David Hill

Jerry and his wife Lois

Jerry Hill served his country during the Korean and served in the Infantry MASH Unit for two years.

Jerry was with his family for the presentation which included his wife Lois, son David and grandson Jared Hill.

With his family by his side, Lawrence W. Hess was also presented with a quilt.

Lawrence was inducted into the army on June 26, 1943, and spent 22 months in the Philippines and New Guinea being discharged on January 8, 1946. He was a truck driver hauling water to the battalion in 4,5 and 6 ton trucks. He also towed guns in semi-cargo from their old placement to new points of attack. Much of the driving he did at night under blackout conditions at times performing his own truck repairs.

Two exceptional men who were well deserving of this honor. Thank you, gentlemen, for your service!

To find out more about Quilts of Honor, click here.