It all started months ago when the founder of Quilts of Honor, Gail Belmont, Army veteran herself, told me about an upcoming quilt exhibition that was to take place at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Virginia. It was to be held October 4-6 with a quilt presentation planned for 2pm on that Saturday. Then the federal government shutdown and the Museum was closed to the public. A museum that really lent itself to the display of quilts draped from walls and railings. There were multitudes of quilts, all hand made and created by quilters from all over the country that were packed and transported to the Museum. The quilters spent months, years creating military themed quilts which are their specialty for this exhibition.
The quilters traveled here from states east and west with plans to visit all the military memorials in Washington DC as part of their week in the area. As you know, along with the museum all the open air memorials were also closed. It was obvious throughout their visit here, God was at work opening doors for every door that closed. A new venue was found for the exhibition and presentation.....Mt. Vernon, home of George Washington, welcomed Quilts of Honor and did a splendid job displaying their quilts, although fewer than originally planned for the larger museum. They opened a portion of their gift shop and offered their small auditorium. But before I tell you about my visit that Saturday to see the quilts I want to share the other miracles that took place for the quilters.
A trip to the WWII Memorial that was closed to the public, but barricades were opened and they were free to visit and also meet many Veterans who were there with an Honor Flight. The Vietnam Wall, also closed, was a very special visit. The name of the brother of one of the quilters is on the wall, and they were determined to lay a wreath and also lay quilts in front of the wall for magnificent photos.
I was in the best of company with two good friends who are moms of combat wounded warriors at Walter Reed. We were blessed to attend the events on Saturday, not realizing just how emotional the afternoon would become. The quilts were the most beautiful we had ever seen. QOH does not sell them...they make them strictly to present to combat veterans of all generations. Each quilt was more beautiful than the next, some more intricate, all patriotic.....eagles, flags, stars and stripes. After closely examining the handiwork of the quilters, we took our seats in the auditorium for the presentation. Gail and her volunteers had previously met many combat veterans while visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and invited them to Mt Vernon, not divulging the real reason for their invitation which was to present them with quilts and also gift them with passes to visit the Museum.
The ceremony started with members of our National Honor Guard, four (over 6ft tall) handsome Color Guard marching to the stage. No matter where or when I see our flag and sing our national anthem, I get teary. It never fails...the tears run. One of the members of QOH, Marsha Borelli Silva is a singer and songwriter who performed two songs she composed, "Freedom is Not Free" and "America" and then the tears really started flowing. I am extremely patriotic and get very emotional when it comes to honoring our country. Then the presentation began. The name of each veteran was called and a member of QOH presented a quilt that was related to his or her branch of the military. Each presentation brought a round of applause from an approving auditorium. In closing the Color Guard marched out, and then returned unofficially and they were given quilts as well. More tears. Finally, an announcement that at 3:30 there would be an unplanned presentation to some WWII veterans. Well, there was no way I was going to leave and miss that ceremony!!!!!
These WWII Navy Veterans, here with an Honor Flight, all sailed together on the USS Indiana. As I sat there watching each of these precious elderly gentlemen I could picture my Dad and was overcome with sadness, missing him after losing him two years ago. These patriots had no idea why they were invited to the museum and were totally taken aback when their names were called and each was presented with a beautiful quilt. Some could barely stand on their own, some had family with them, some were so touched that they cried. What an incredible honor it was to be there to witness this display of appreciation for our older Veterans. I will never forget that afternoon.
Before all the volunteers left our area to return home to their respective states, Gail,who is an accomplished bugler and has played at many funerals and military functions, played taps at the graveside of George Washington. What a beautiful final gesture for them before they departed, and what an honor it was for us to be there to share the love and gratitude America feels for it's Veterans.
