Where did you serve and what did you do?
Served in Iraq in the US Army in 2009 as an IT Specialist and Satellite Repair Person. Kept track of detainees as we closed down detainee camps and reported to the Pentagon daily.
How are you #StillServing?
When I came home I was in a Warrior Transition Unit. I was presented a small quilt and I decided I wanted to do that when I was medically retired. I was able to learn various software programs and I was able to get a quilting machine with the help of several groups. To this day I have helped make and quilt over 1,300 quilts.
I helped start a group called Old Glory Quilters in 2011 and I recently moved to Shelbyville, Indiana so now I rely on some local ladies to every now and then to help me sew tops. Last year for Veterans Day I was told I hosted the best Veterans Day program this little town has ever seen. I presented 14 quilts to veterans and opened the program with my friend playing “In Color.” Two Vietnam veterans stepped forward and we welcomed them home with tears. I have helped with Welcome Home celebrations and events that honor older veterans. On July 25 at 1100 HRS we will honor a WWII veteran in Vevay, Indiana. His health is declining and he will turn 102 on Aug 4.
Why do you do it?
People often ask, “Why do you do this? You served in Iraq, wasn’t that enough?” I reply, “It’s in my heart, I feel my blood bleeds red, white and blue for the ones that died on the battlefield and if I can honor the ones that came back home from war, even if its 80 years, 75 years, 50 years later or from our recent wars and say ‘Welcome Home, Brother/Sister,’ then that little gesture will know all these years later someone still cares.” This is a very important time as well for the family because they can hear stories they never knew from their loved one. I just want to make a difference one quilt at a time.