Quilts of Valor
Quilts of Valour "Under Our Wings"
The Quilter's Garden has registered as a "Quilts of Valor" shop. This is a non-profit program that provides quilts to wounded military personnel. The "Under Our Wings" part of the program introduces non-quilters to the fun of quilting by pairing the non-quilter (the Rookie) with an experienced quilter (the Coach). The Coach will bring a sewing machine and guide the Rookie to make a quilt that will go to a wounded soldier or sailor as recognition and a thank-you for serving our country. Call the shop to register as a "Coach" or a "Rookie". Patterns are free, there is no class charge. Any supplies purchased for this program will receive a discount. New red, white, and blue fabrics will be arriving soon. If you already have 100% cotton that you would like to use, bring it in. We will have our 1st quilt-making class on Saturday, June 11th at 6:30pm. If that date does not work for you, call the shop to suggest a new one!
As Diane was planning for the Quilts of Valor, Under our Wings program, she found a very interesting article in the
"Despite the festive, here-comes-summer theme that has evolved, Memorial Day was never intended to be a day of celebration. Rather, it was created after the Civil War as a day to solemnly commemorate those who have died in
In an era when somber tributes often give way to decidedly more trivial pursuits, it's worthwhile to revisit the roots of the American culture we share." In that spirit, here is part of the original order that established the annual day of remembrance we know as Memorial Day. It was issued by the Grand Army of the Republic, a fraternal organization for members of the Union Army who fought in the Civil War.
General Orders No. 11,
The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land."
"...Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic."
"... It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief (ed. note, of the Grand Army of the Republic) to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year."
Nearly 145 years have passed since the Civil War ended, but we still need to pause, if only occasionally, to show our respect to our military heroes, both long ago and recent, who gave their lives so we can enjoy the "land of the free, and the home of the brave."
