Local Veterans presented Quilts of Valor

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Eight local Veterans were presented Quilts of Valor during a special presentation held at the Williamston Municipal Center on Veterans Day. The presentation was the first in the State for Quilts of Valor with multiple Veterans being wrapped with special hand sewn quilts.
Veterans wrapped at the event included James Barrs, Ronald Deglau, Connor Jewett, Victor Martin, Robert Roach, Paul Pierce, Neil Garren, Kenneth Cooley.
Also receiving a quilt, but not present for the wrapping ceremony were Thomas Turner, Jerry Babb, Claude Anderson, William Smythe, Robert Scroggs, Ronald Fowler, Phillip Howard, Charles Hopkins, Elvira Rayez.
The Palmetto High AFJROTC Unit presented colors.
Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess and Kim Price from Quilts of Valor hosted the event, which was also coordinated through Envision Williamston.
Price said the Quilts of Valor Foundation began in 2003 with a dream.
Founder Catherine Roberts’ son Nat was deployed in Iraq. According to Kim, Catherine had a dream that was as vivid as real life. She saw a young man sitting on the side of his bed in the middle of the night, hunched over. The permeating feeling was one of utter despair. She could see his war demons clustered around, dragging him down into an emotional gutter. Then, as if viewing a movie, she saw him in the next scene wrapped in a quilt. His whole demeanor changed from one of despair to one of hope and well-being. The quilt had made this dramatic change. The message of her dream was: Quilts = Healing.
Roberts model appeared simple: have a volunteer team who would donate their time and materials to make a quilt. One person would piece the top and the other would quilt it. She saw the name for this special quilt. It was Quilt of Valor, a QOV.

The Quilt of Valor® Foundation appreciates the service and sacrifice of those who are serving or have served in the Armed Forces and protect our freedoms.

(Pictured left to right) James Barrs, Ronald Deglau, Connor Jewett, Victor Martin, Robert Roach, Paul Pierce, Neil Garren, Kenneth Cooley. (Photo by Mike Gowan)