With the frigid temperatures this past week, wrapping up in a warm quilt has been one good way to spend these cold, winter days. For veterans touched by war, being wrapped in a quilt made just for them while being honored for their service is the sole mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation (QOVF) headquartered in Winterset, Iowa.
The QOVF was founded in 2003 by Catherine Robert, who came up with the idea for the organization when her son was deployed to Iraq. She had a dream where she saw a young man sitting on the side of his bed in deep despair. In the next scene he was wrapped in a quilt, and his demeanor was changed from despair to hope. She felt the dream revealed to her, “Quilts = Healing.” Robert dreamed of quilters all across the country making quality quilts and awarding them to veterans who had been touched by war. Each quilt would include the veterans service info recorded on it, along with the words, “Thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor in serving our nation.” The first Quilt of Valor (QOV) awarded was in November of 2003 at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington D.C. Since that time, over 400,000 quilts have been made and awarded to veterans all across the USA.
Two West Michigan veterans, Darrell E. Hansen of Orchard View and Robert Willea of Muskegon, were recently added to that list of 400,000, when they were honored at a ceremony Nov. 30, 2024, at the Gordon Bates American Legion Post #30 in Shelby, of which Hansen is a member. The story of their military service and brotherhood connection is something only a veteran can truly appreciate and understand. However, because it was such an amazing experience, they wanted to share it and bring awareness to this wonderful program.
Hansen and Willea’s story begins when they were both assigned to A Company, 3rd Engineers, 24th Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga. in 1979. While stationed there, they discovered they were not only both from Michigan, but from the Muskegon area. They lost touch after Willea was transferred, but in September of 2024, he put out a friend request looking for Hansen. They were able to connect and made plans to meet at Russ’ in Muskegon for lunch.
Proudly wearing their Army veteran caps, the two enjoyed catching up. “This was the first time we’d been together since our service in Ft. Stewart. After our lunch, out in the parking lot, a woman came up and politely introduced herself as Rheasa Martin. She’d overheard part of our conversation; anyone who knows me knows I talk loud,” Hansen said with a chuckle. “She told us she was from the Quilts of Valor and was interested in hearing more of our story. Then she asked if we’d like to be presented with a quilt. To be honest we weren’t really sure. We’d never heard of the organization and wondered if it was legit. She gave us a pamphlet and instructions on how to fill out the paperwork. We eventually did submit the paperwork, but when we didn’t hear back from her; we thought we’d been scammed.”
Thankfully they hadn’t been scammed. After spending that time making their quilts, Martin contacted them and a ceremony was arranged for Nov. 30.
“At the ceremony, Rheasa gave a great presentation. She explained QOV and then wrapped the quilts around our shoulders and gave us a hug. Both of us aren’t used to that kind of attention,” Hansen said. The presentation was made more special by having family and friends in attendance to witness it, Hansen added.
“I always tell veterans when I present a quilt to them that my father was a WWII veteran airplane mechanic stateside and my husband served in the Air Force for 10 years, in Vietnam and other places. The only real requirement to receive a QOV is that the veteran ‘be touched by war.’ Now that I look back on my father and husband’s experiences, even though my father served on American soil, he was still touched by war. I don’t question a veteran when they share that they have been “touched by war.” It’s different for everyone. For some people it may be mental anguish, for others it may be physical. I emphasize this is a ‘civilian award’; it’s not a gift. I always let veterans know they are getting it for a reason, not just from me, but on behalf of the citizens of America.”
For a reasonable annual membership fee, quilters are welcome to start a group, join an established group or join individually, which is how Martin is involved. Martin has been a member of QOVF since 2016 and has personally presented over 200 quilts. “I keep pretty busy with it. I am working on six quilts for February. But I’m very much rewarded. I just love doing it,” she said.
Since receiving his quilt, Hansen is on a mission to let others know about QOV. “Some (veterans) have heard of it, but don’t really understand how it works. I’m trying to get quilts for other veterans, there’s so many more deserving than me,” he said.
When asked if he was using the quilt as a bedcover, he said, “No, I’ve learned what a quilt hanger is. It’s a precious piece of art and I want it displayed. We are both so appreciative of (our quilts) and feel humbled. We sincerely thank all the folks who made this possible.”
For those interested in nominating a veteran touched by war, for a Quilt of Valor, please contact Michigan’s state coordinator, Lynn Lebeck at lynn.lebeck@qovf.org.
Saturday, Feb. 1, the QOVF will gather in groups or at home for one of their annual “National Sew Days” to see and create “Quilts of Valor.” Those interested in registering or with other questions about the foundation may visit www.quiltsofvalor.org.
