Story and Photos by: LTC (R) Michael DeBolt
The Mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. Catherine Roberts founded the Quilts of Valor Foundation in 2003. It’s a non-profit that awards specialized quilts to military members and veterans who have been touched by war.
“The quilt is made to help them heal and thank them for their service and sacrifice,” said Catherine.
The Quilts of Valor Omaha Chapter started off with 5 members but now has around 75 members. All focused on presenting each honoree with a quilt that is literally one of a kind — and made for a purpose.
DeAnn Nichelson, one of the quilters said she is honored to make the quilts. “Thank you for serving our country! I appreciate my rights and responsibilities, as well as people, like you, that are willing to fight to preserve them.”
Cadets from Omaha Public Schools JROTC are proud to provide Color Guard for the presentation ceremony for Quilts of Valor. On this particular day, nine veterans received these beautiful handmade quilts. The individuals receiving the quilts were all veterans who served during times of war, and many were combat veterans.
Quilts of Valor is an organization operating nationwide through local chapters to make quilts and present them to veterans. This is the third year OPS JROTC Color Guards have assisted in a ceremony that takes place in retirement homes, VFWs, American Legions, or at locations where requested. It is a partnership that is an honor to fulfill, where Cadets are left with pride to have met local heroes from WWII to Afghanistan. We even did a 100th birthday party and a QOV presentation!
To date, Quilts of Valor has presented quilts to more than 350,000 veterans. Each quilt is designed specifically for the veteran who receives it.
“The veterans who received the quilts were ordinary people doing extraordinary things”, stated COL Lydic Senior Army Instructor of the Omaha Benson JROTC program.
Caption-Sydney Sainovich, Color Guard Commander, Bogar Jones-Mendez,Nang Aei Kham, Ku Paw Moo
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