Last Saturday, Quilts of Valor recognized five veterans for their service in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the Korean War.
In a service held at the Central Library in Newnan, the five veterans received a custom, handmade quilt meant to help heal the veterans.
“It’s an item of fond memory,” Vietnam War veteran Colonel Tuffy Handley said. “Old days and hard work to (the) service.”
Catherine Robert, a mother whose son was deployed in Iraq, came up with the idea of quilts equaling healing. She later founded Quilts of Valor in 2003. The operation now consists of team people who make and present the quilts.
“I think it helps them to know, particularly Vietnam veterans who were never thanked for their service, that their service was a valuable thing to our country and particularly to our communities,” Quilts of Valor worker Jean Raines said.
At the ceremony family and friends are welcome to join to watch them get the award. Raines details each veteran’s time in the military, where they served, and what awards they were given. The veteran gets to see the quilt before the crowd and then the workers drape it across their shoulders.
“I am so proud of my husband and I think he deserves the honor that’s bestowed upon him,” wife of Vietnam War veteran Nancy Handley said. “To see a grown man tear up when they finally say thank you for your service from Vietnam.”
The Quilts of Valor award the veterans by nomination, and they have a ceremony about once a month depending on the number of nominees. You can read about their story and nominate veterans on the Quilts of Valor website.