Happy Thanksgiving

Eat well, be safe and enjoy your family!

Next Tuesday is our next sew-in at Prairie Shop Quilts, Batavia.  We are having company!  

It's another clean-up sew-in.  If you have unfinished projects, bring them in.  We need sewing machines!!!  It's always good to bring your rulers and rotary cutters as well.  So, fill them bobbins and let's keep comforting and showing our thanks to the troops.
Rita

We continue to getting it done!

The sew-in yesterday, as always, was very productive.  Measured, made some borders, and some backings to get ready for our machine quilters.  Some of us worked on unfinished tops...looking good!

I posted a couple of our string quilt tops on the facebook page (Illinois Quilts of Valor).  I think we're getting pretty creative with the strings.
 

 Reminder:  The star block challenge is due before the December sew-in (first Tuesday in December).  That challenge is:  12" finished star block in red/white and blue.  If you have given me stars and will not be at the December sew-in, let me know as I will be bringing the prizes to the sew-in.
Rita

Pictures

I'm sharing a couple pictures that I've already posted on our FB page (Illinois Quilts of Valor) and has gotten quite a few hits.  These were taken at the Wall last weekend.

More Sharing!

The family of Arthur, the presentation we did in Winfield send us a utube video I'd like to share: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URr9dJhKEeM&feature=youtu.be

 

AND, we got a thank you from another presentation:  

 

Geri,

When the Elgin Library Staff gave me your present of the Quilt of Valor with my picture I was over whelmed with emotion and tears. I was humbled by your gift and the dedication and time Karen D and Chris J put into making the most beautiful Shadowbox Quilt I have ever seen. Thank you for the homemade card from all of the QOVF. I have few words. Thank you for welcoming me home after so many years and for the thoughtfulness of all you Patriots.

Blessings and God's Protection on All of You,

Rob B

Save the Date..Saturday, .December 7

Rockford, IL: Quilters Haven is hosting a QOV Sew-in on Saturday, December 7th.  Quilters Haven is located at 4616 E State St. Rockford. 10 AM -  ??

Another opportunity to Welcome Home a Veteran

Operation Welcome You Home is escorting a Veteran on Sunday, November 17. If you're interested in presenting a quilt to this Veteran, let me know. You can either be a part of where they set up which is at the Home Depot on Rt 59 and they will go onto the AmVets on Jericho Rd. in Aurora; or just be there at the AmVets in Aurora to present. They're setting up at Home Depot at 12:30 and are expecting to arrive at AmVets at 2:30. Andrew (Army) recently returned from Afghanistan in October. These welcoming home ceremonies are also very impressive. Let me know if you would like to do this.  I think I'll be there.

Rita

The rest of the Story... and Sew In Reminder

It took a couple days to recoup.  The past weekend was draining...emotionally and I didn't expect that.  From hearing from a few ladies who helped out at one presentation or another, it was the same.

So, we come to Sunday.  I went to their interdenominational service not expecting to stay, but so glad I did.  There were a couple speeches, a fly over and we had a presentation.  Thank you John A (Vietnam, Marine) for your service.

Monday.  Thank you Suzie for your presentation and your report:

Celebrating Veteran’s Day at Plum Grove Middle School, Rolling Meadows, IL.  

Dressed in matching T-shirts touting the celebration of the day, the student council of the school warmly welcomed family members who have served in the Korean conflict of the 1950’s, the Vietnam War,  Kuwait, Somalia, Germany, and the active Naval Reserve…8 in all.  A yummy continental breakfast was served by the students while a string ensemble of student musicians played in the background.

A color guard from Boy Scout Troop 209 presented the colors and after a brief introduction of QOV, the DVD “Quilts of Valor” was shown.  The veterans were recognized and along with family members participating, were presented and wrapped in their quilts.  Students were encouraged to think of future participation with QOV by learning to make quilts as a service project. 

The veteran recipients were most appreciative of the honors of the day.

I had to give a speech at US Foods in Rosemont.  Thank you to my friend Kim who made that happen.    Thank you to US Foods for the opportunity to promote the awareness of our Mission.  Almost immediately I had some great heartfelt feedback.

The Moving Vietnam Wall Laying of the Wreaths ceremony was in the afternoon.  Thank you Caron, Susan, Sandy and MaryJane for  being there in the very cold and rainy/snowy conditions.  It was quite a solemn ceremony.   There were Veterans from each branch of service laying wreaths at the Wall.  Witnessed some intense emotions when the quilts were presented and wrapped around our Veterans.  One of the recipients, Sgt Pat (Vietnam)  was another result of the TV airing NBC News had a couple weeks ago.  I hope she doesn't mind my inserting the nice words she had on FB:  

"Hello, I had the unique pleasure of being wrapped in the warmth of a beautiful quilt as well as some beautiful women who put needle to cloth and heart and soul into the quilts.  I was overwhelmed by the beautiful wrapping ceremony and wish to thank all of the ladies who work so diligently to make sure we combat vets feel loved, I know I certainly did yesterday. Kui"

"...I loved the ceremony even with the wind rain and show in the cold.  It just made it more clear what your mission was. LOL Kui" 

Among the recipients of the quilts was my husband, Gary.  Yes, I had never given him his quilt.  With all he does for QOV, he's actually one of "us"!  He packs my car on my way to a sew-in and he unpacks when I get home.  He puts up with my stash, QOV stash and you know about the shower stall!  So, Thank you, Gary for your service and your continued service to our Mission.  He said to me, well I want one you made.  I said to him...then you will be waiting and waiting...

Caron's comments:   "Yesterday was a powerful day for me. And I have my good friend Rita Pennington to thank. I was honored to present 6 quilts to veterans at the moveable Vietnam Wall in Aurora, IL yesterday. I am guilty of treating Veterans Day like another day off, or a day that a bill won't come in the mail. But from yesterday forward I will always remember the tears in their eyes when they received those quilts. Were they tears of gratitude for the quilts, or were the tears in remembrance of those who did not return, or maybe the job that wasn't there for them when they got back? or maybe tears for the lost opportunities because we have not, in the past, given them enough recognition. I will never know, but I know those quilts did touch them..."

Sandy's comment:  " I could not stop thinking about the ceremony and the faces of those who received quilts. Count me in!"
Susan's comment:  " I was happy and honored to be a part of the presentation."

I think it will be awhile before Aurora ever forgets this Veterans Day, I know it will be forever in my memory.  There is no time limit on how long the healing of these wars last.  Our hope is that each quilt presented brings comfort, gratitude and a long waited, "Welcome Home".

So we continue....We gather again on Tuesday at Sewing Etc. , Yorkville.  It'll be a "clean up" session.  Bring in any unfinished projects and we'll work on those.  I share with you a whole lot of thank yous from our vets as we continue.

Rita

PS  Join us on our Facebook page:  Illinois Quilts of Valor for more pictures and comments.

Veterans Day!!

God bless our Veterans---both active and inactive!!

Today we will be at a Junior High School in Rolling Meadows, at US Foods and at the Vietnam Moving Wall.

Will be back with pictures.  Thank a Veteran Today and Every Day!
Rita

Veterans Week

What a wonderful, emotional week.  This year to coincide with Veterans Day, the Vietnam Moving Wall is in town.  One can see it's both a great day and a sad day for some.  Our Vietnam Veterans are still healing.  Heard just last night again, "this is the first I've been thanked for what I did".  Oh, I hope they feel America has it right now.  We need to keep thanking and thanking our Veterans.

Friday, I had the biggest high for me personally.  I presented my Uncle with his much deserved Quilt of Valor.  My uncle was part of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings as a flight engineer.  He few over the two cities prior to both bombings.  His plane was the Yokohama Yo-Yo.  They also few in almost immediately after the bombs were dropped.  It's a generation where they just held it all in...no wonder!  Thank you, Uncle Reuben...and Aunt Marianne---she is our pillowcase, pincushion maker and log cabin/flag pin maker!

Friday night we attended a Gala event by Presence (formerly known as Provena Hospital).  It was their annual fundraiser and this year their theme was for the Veterans.  They honored two WWII veterans Joe and Helen R.

  What a nice couple and their family!

Saturday morning I had the honor of presenting a quilt to Bud F.  Bud's request  was a result of the TV segment by Brian Williams a few weeks ago.   This Marine did his tour of duty in Vietnam.  You can see the Vietnam Moving Wall in the background.  Bud, there, wrapped in his quilt, was there reading the names of the Fallen.  They had the names read 24/7.  His remarks sent to me were:

"Wow.  I am sooooo happy with my quilt.  I sincerely appreciate receiving it and will cherish it always.  Thank you so much.   And thanks for meeting me on this cold cold morning. 

If your husband has any pictures to share, I would love to see them.

Thanks again ---  this is great !

BUD"

Saturday afternoon, we had a very successful sew-in in Winfield AGAIN!  Thank you Marilyn for "working" the block(s) and all who attended.  I just can't get over how many strips we used.  Thank you Stephanie G---Stephanie, from Quilters Haven came with her HQ Sweet Sixteen and quilted some tops!  Gotta love my machine quilters!  So, thank you, Kelly and St. John the Baptist Church for yet another successful sew in...they keep getting bigger.  Last I heard we had more than enough for one quilt.  We also had a presentation to a WWII Veteran (another request from the TV segment, Making a Difference. Lieutenant Colonel (Army) Richard V,  served in WWII in the Battle of the Bulge receiving the British Military Medal, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Battle of Central Europe and TWO Purple Hearts.  WHAT A HERO!!  Thank you, Richard, for your service.

What a great family presence.  

Saturday afternoon, Jane and Priscilla joined me at Holy Angels Church and we presented 6 quilts to more Veterans.

What a very rewarding day.  I've said over and over...ya wonder who gets more out of it!!!
More tomorrow.
Rita

Thank you, Carol A

I came home yesterday and hurriedly posted our show and tell.  Forgot to thank Carol for her assistance in the block yesterday.  Actually, I believe she was doing everything--cutting, pressing and teaching.  Thank you, Carol.  And thank you for that striking top!
Rita

17 COMPLETED Tops; 12 tops and 2 needing borders!!

That has got to be a  record!  Great sew-in today.  Started out a little bit crazy, but let's not go there!  Here are some pictures from our show and tell!

Sunny Skies

Thank you, Jan for the donated fabric!

Nice job, Phyllis                       Arrowhead








Twist and shout!                                                                                       and another Sunny Skies!

I am not good at moving these pictures around!
Rita

Been meaning to post this picture

October 18, Waukegan was the scene of the 2nd graduation for their VTAC Program.  If you remember it's the Veterans Treatment and Assistant Court Program they have for Veterans who are charged with non-violent offenses.  If the veteran successfully complies with what the VTAC imposes, their case gets dismissed.  Well they had their 2nd graduation and the presentation was done by the Judge and Probation officers.  Here is a picture they sent me.

Rose said:  "The graduation was great.  We had five veterans graduate but only four attended the formal graduation ceremony.  Each of the graduates were very honored to receive the quilts.  I spoke to the coordinator and she said that Tours of Duty included Vietnam and Afghanistan."

Wish I could have been there!

Busy, Busy, Busy!!

We are into the week where this is what it is all about....OUR VETERANS!!  Today is the first ceremony at the Moving Vietnam Wall.  We have a part of the ceremony on Veterans Day, November 11.  At 2 PM they will have Veterans from all the wars laying a wreath.  We will be presenting them with their Quilt of Valor.

Also:  The Ladies Auxiliary of Father McGivney invite you to participate in the Third Annual Quilts of Valor Sew-In, an open-house sew-in to make quilts for our veterans.  This event is open to teens and adults who want to help.  Lunch and refreshments are provided.   St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, OS233 Church St., Winfield, IL

 Here is another copy of our calendar.

November 5--QOV Sew-In Batavia
November 8--Stars and Stripes Gala--Presentation 2 quilts
November 9 - Sew In Winfield, St. John Baptist Church 9 AM - 3 PM
November 9--Holy Angels Church, 4:30 Mass --small presentation to Veterans
November 11--Susie to speak at JR High School Veterans Breakfast, Rolling Meadows--Presentation 3 quilts
November 11--Speak at US Foods
November 11 --Caron C to speak and present at Moving Wall ceremony at West Aurora High School--Presentation 10 quilts. 
November  19--QOV Sew-in Yorkville

See you at the sew in, Tuesday.
Rita