On February 9, Encore Lakewood RV Resort held their fourth Quilts of Valor presentation. Joined by sister park Sunwest, they presented 14 veterans the award this year.

During the presentation, a Veteran called each recipient to order and shared a bit of their personal military story. The quilt maker and a family member or friend opened each quilt, then folded it in half and together each Veteran was wrapped with the quilt they were presented. 

Those awarded this year were Ronald G. Blain, Navy; Penny Driscoll, Air Force; Denny Gullett, Navy; Bradley D. Hamburg, Army; Walene Sue Hanisco, Air Force; Bruce Munck, Air Force; Gale Newton, Navy; James Newton, Navy; Richard A. Newton, Navy; William Rodenbaugh, Army; Bill Snyder, Navy and Air Force; Richard Straw, Army; D.W. ‘Pat’ Vaughn, Air Force; and Joseph G. Hanisco, Air Force (honored on January 29).

The Quilts of Valor (QOV) Foundation began in 2003 with a dream. The founder’s son was deployed in Iraq, and she had a dream she wanted to bring to life. It was about a young man, hunched over on the side of his bed, with feelings of despair. She could see his war demons dragging him down into an emotional gutter. She then saw him wrapped in a quilt and his whole demeanor changed from one of despair, to one of hope. The message was quilts equal healing.  

Now, volunteers from all over the US gather to donate their time and materials to make quilts and give to Veterans and service members. With over a quarter of a million sewers and quilters awarding military and Veterans, Quilts of Valor, has awarded over 400,000 quilts nationally.  

A Quilt of Valor is a quality, handmade quilt that is machine or hand quilted. It is awarded to a service member or Veteran who has been touched by war regardless of the conflict in which they served. QOVs are lifetime awards, stitched with love, prayers, and healing thoughts. The quilt says unequivocally, “Thank you” for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation. 

Ann Register, a Winter Texan at Lakewood, said she first saw her dad receive a QOV in 2015.  

“I witnessed firsthand the emotional experience receiving this honor had on our father,” she said. “My dad’s QOV became his most treasured possession and was always near him.” 

In 2018, upon retiring, Register joined the local QOV chapter in Princeton, IL. She enjoyed the group and their passion for the work they did.  

“I soon learned to award the quilts, besides sewing tops and quilting them.” 

She winters in the Valley with her husband, and in 2023, she came with two QOV quilts for two of their friends. After discussing the QOV program and awarding the quilts in a park meeting, the response was overwhelming, and there was enough interest to start up their own program at Lakewood. 

The following year, with the help from others in the park, they awarded eight Quilts of Valor. Last year, they awarded 10, three of those awarded were from their neighbor park, Sunwest. 

For more information on how your group can become a part of the foundation, visit www.qovf.org. Are you a Veteran, service member, or know someone that is? You can nominate them for a Quilt of Valor so they can be wrapped in comfort with a big ‘Thank you.’ 

 

 

Cutline for group photo

Pictured are QOV recipients Ronald G. Blain, Navy; Penny Driscoll, Air Force; Denny Gullett, Navy; Bradley D. Hamburg, Army; Walene Sue Hanisco, Air Force; Bruce Munck, Air Force; Gale Newton, Navy; James Newton, Navy; Richard A. Newton, Navy; William Rodenbaugh, Army; Bill Snyder, Navy and Air Force; Richard Straw, Army; D.W. ‘Pat’ Vaughn, Air Force; and Joseph G. Hanisco, Air Force (honored on January 29).