Quilts of Valor: Caring veteran recognition
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HARRISVILLE -- Numerous Northeast Michigan veterans have been touched and honored by Quilts of Valor.
The Quilts of Valor Foundation was established in 2003 by Washington state resident Catherine Roberts. Through her vision, Roberts desired to pay tribute to her son, Nat. Serving in the Army, Nat was deployed to Iraq.
Upon returning to the U.S., she saw a young man sitting on the side of his bed in the middle of the night, hunched over. The permeating feeling was one of utter despair.
Roberts is quoted: "I could see his war demons clustered around, dragging him down into an emotional gutter. Then, as if viewing a movie, I saw him in the next scene wrapped in a quilt. His whole demeanor changed from one of despair to one of hope and wellbeing. The quilt had made this dramatic change. The message of my dream was: Quilts equal healing."
Currently, Quilts of Valor has 531 groups across the nation with 85 participating quilt shops affiliated with the organization. Canada and Australia also host similar Quilts of Valour groups.
Lynn Lebeck is the Michigan coordinator for Quilts of Valor. As a retired doctorate registered nurse anesthesiologist, she has been associated with Quilts of Valor for 10-plus years. Lebeck commented there are 19 official Quilts of Valor groups across the state. This past year, they awarded 743 quilts.
She stated she has awarded quilts to Afghanistan veterans and to those from World War II. Her most memorable recipients were a 105-year-old veteran and a Canadian military member receiving hospice care in Port Huron rather than in Ontario because of the COVID-19 restrictions at the time.
Lebeck is especially thankful in recognizing and awarding Vietnam-era veterans.
"As a country we failed horribly to separate feelings about the war from feelings about those who have served," she said.
In Northeast Michigan, the Quilts of Valor has the Quirky Quilters Quilt Guild.
Dianna Rigato, of Harrisville, has been engaged with the guild's mission for seven-plus years. For a nearly 20-year career she was associated with the Michigan Department of Community Health.
At any given time, her quilting guild has up to 70 members. She stated they meet the third Tuesday of every month at the Oscoda United Methodist Church.
Rigato commented: "The guild members offer their expertise and funds to produce quilts which traditionally are 55-by-75 inches or 72-by-95 inches."
She added: "A quilt can take 100 hours plus to create and are valued at over $300."
Since the guild's founding, they have awarded veterans over 300 quilts. Periodically, quilts are presented to newborn infants, individuals experiencing abuse, foster children, and women facing breast cancer.
The guild appears every two or three years at the Harvest of Quilts show. At that venue, they become aware of possible recipients. In addition, they connect with possible recipients through houses of worship and veteran service organizations.
The guild discusses their referral list. After the review, Rigato or another guild member contacts the veteran. Arrangements are made to meet the recipient and award them a quilt.
This past July 4, Rigato traveled to Lake Michigan's Beaver Island (population 600) and awarded 18 quilts to Vietnam-era veterans.
In a conversation with Tony Atkinson, Alcona County Veterans Affairs officer and former Army paratrooper, he reflected on a presentation to Alcona County Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf War recipients.
"The veterans were deeply appreciative in receiving a quilt, especially in that each quilt had their name and related information stitched into fabric -- truly a personalized tribute," he said.
Atkinson added: "I recently visited a veteran who had his quilt placed near his favorite recliner. He cherished it and put it into frequent use."
Bryan Strong, financial advisor with an Alpena Edward Jones office, sponsors the region's Tunnels to Towers 5K run. Strong is a graduate of the West Point Military Academy. A number of years back, he was the Quilts of Valor recipient.
As the Northeast Michigan's Tunnels to Towers 5K race was preparing to occur, he approached their leadership about awarding veterans quilts after the race.
With a multi-year, COVID-19-related pause, this past August, 21 Korean, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan veterans received quilts.
A common remark given by the recipients was they felt there were much more deserving veterans. Strong and the Quilts for Valor representative both stressed the award program is to recognize all veterans.
For more information in becoming involved or supporting the Quilts of Valor's mission located in Winterset, Iowa, review their informative web site at qovf.org or call 515-619-6556.
Jeffrey D. Brasie is a retired health care CEO. He frequently writes feature stories and op-eds for Michigan publications. A native of Alpena, he currently resides in suburban Detroit. He is a U.S. Navy and U.S. Naval Reserves veteran and served on the secretary of the Navy's public affairs staff.