Mary Lou and I conversed later about how many Veterans would be perfect to nominate for the list, and how few quilters there are to fulfill that need. If any of our members have a Veteran family member they would like to nominate, or if they enjoy quilting and would like to learn more about QOVF, follow this link (www.qovf.org).
What a great winter project this would be!
A few days before Christmas I had the good fortune to be asked by a Veteran family member to represent the family in a presentation to their WWII father. Months ago, the family member had nominated her father to receive a patriotic quilt from an organization called Quilts of Honor Foundation.
The Veteran is Paul Arnone, 97 years young, who I have come to know very well since 2015. His daughter Peggy lives in North Carolina and wasn’t able to be here for the presentation. The QOHF representative, Mary Lou Zerby, was going to stop in Jamestown on her way to a family Christmas celebration in Hamburg. She called Paul to ask if he would like to receive a quilt made especially for a Veteran in honor of his service to our country. Of course he said “YES!” Peggy called me to see if I would meet Mary Lou and take photos and of course I said “Yes!”
She performed a nice ceremony, explaining how the Quilts of Valor Foundation came about and why he was being honored. She talked with Paul for a few minutes about his scary job as a 19 year old Navy signalman on LST 44 in the second wave at Normandy, France. A model of an LST made for him by Peggy’s son was the perfect accessory as he explained his duty, and where the troops, tanks, jeeps, and equipment were placed in the hull.
Although this is a nationwide organization, the quilts that are made in Chautauqua County will be awarded to Veterans in Chautauqua County. Call Barb at 716-664-6256 if you have questions!
