DAV honors Tom Dawson with Quilt of Valor
Every act of service deserves to be recognized, especially a veteran's service. While no words can ever express the amount of gratitude deserved by those who served, a special recognition - Quilts of Valor - is one way of expressing that heartfelt gratitude.
"Every soldier who answered the call to serve their country made a sacrifice and that sacrifice is appreciated. Their service is a vital part of our freedom," Mike Tarpley, Quilt of Valor presenter and Chapter 47 Vice Commander, said. "Every moment served for our country is a moment to receive gratitude for. Ceremonies like this are special because they remind us of the sacrifices made and allow us to show our appreciation for those sacrifices. Serving one's country impacts not only the veteran, but their family, friends and their community."
The Quilts of Valor organization is the result of a dream brought to fruition. A Gold-star Mother, Catherine Roberts, had a dream while she was waiting on her son to return from service. During the recent presentation Tarpley described the dream.
"Katherine described the dream as vivid as real life. She saw a young man sitting on the side of his bed in the middle of the night, hunched over. There was a permeating feeling of despair. I could see his war demons clustered down into an emotional gutter," Tarpley read. "Katherine continued, it was as if in a movie. She saw him wrapped in a quilt and his whole demeanor changed. There was now a sense of hope and well being... quilts equal healing."
Quilts of Valor Foundation is a national organization founded in 2003 by a "Blue Star" mom, Catherine Roberts. The idea of finding a way to provide comfort for veterans came to her while her son was deployed in Iraq. While he was deployed, she constantly felt 10 seconds away from panic and those feelings turned into quilt making.
Since the founding of the organization, more than 150,000 quilts have been awarded in the United States, Germany, Iraq and Afghanistan.
With each quilt the mission to honor service members and veterans is fulfilled - one human-being reaching out and touching another without judgement, reaching out with acceptance and with acknowledgement of service to our nation in very trying circumstances. According to Tarpley, this presentation draws him almost to 100 Quilts of Valor presented in Howard County.
"The Quilts of Valor Foundation recognizes war demons that plague soldiers from all wars. There are thousands of quilters across the United States working to make these quilts to cover our warriors, from all conflicts," Tarpley said. "Each of these quilts is composed of love, tears, and heartfelt appreciation and gratitude from many ladies."
The quilts are made up of three layers: the top with its many colors, shapes and fabrics represent the community and the many individuals we are; the batting - filler - is the center of the quilt, its warmth.
"This second layer represents the hope that this quilt will bring warmth, comfort, peace and healing to the individual who receives it," Tarpley said during the presentation.
The backing is the final layer and it represents strength that supports the other layers. It represents the strength of the recipient, the support of his or her family, communities and nation. Each of the stitches holding the layers together represent love, gratitude and sometimes the tears of the maker. Each quilt represents the three-part message from the givers to the recipient.
"We honor you for your service. We honor you for leaving all you hold dear and to stand in harm's way in a time of crisis, protecting us from the effects of war," Tarpley said. "Next, we know that freedom is not free. The cost of freedom is the dedication of lives of men and women like you, and this quilt is meant to say thank you for your sacrifice."
He continued, "Finally, this quilt is meant to offer comfort to you and to remind you that although your family and friends cannot be with you at all times, you are forever in our thoughts and hearts."