St. Mary Medical Center held their second Quilts of Valor presentation for nine veterans who received handmade quilts from the String-A-Long Stars & Stripes Quilts of Valor Group, celebrating and honoring their service to their country.
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"This is the second year we've had this event, we have a State Coordinator and Respiratory Therapist who has been presenting these quilts for years," said St Mary Medical Center Director of Marketing Mary Fetsch. "She asked our CEO if we could use this space for the event and she enthusiastically said yes."
The Quilts of Valor Foundation's mission is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts, all of which are made through a dedicated group of quilters and quilting groups who not only make these quilts for free, but also deliver them to veteran's on their own time and funding.
"I've been a State Coordinator for Quilts of Valor since 2011, " says Quilts of Valor State Coordinator Diana Richards. "I saw this group in a magazine and after calling and finding out that there was no Indiana representative, I became one and have been coordinating the group's efforts ever since."
Quilts of Valor presented nine veterans who have previously served in past wars. Each of the veteran's was presented with a handmade quilt along with sincere thanks for their service and dedication. The event also featured a prayer and moment of silence for those who had passed away, giving the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom.
Along with Quilts of Valor, the Indiana Patriot Guard were also present to thank each member for their service and dedication, along with presenting them with medals in recognition of their service to their country.
"Every presentation is emotional," said Richards. "I enjoy being a part of this, I enjoy standing up here and watching each of these veteran's receive their quilt and interact with their family afterward, it's very rewarding."
Despite this being only their second year doing this presentation, St. Mary's intends on continuing this event for the upcoming years due to the positive impact it has on the veteran's community.
""The response has always been overwhelming in terms of positive feedback," said Fetsch. "There could never be enough opportunities to honor veterans and this event goes a step above to show them that we care."