Posted: 12/18/07
Quilts of Valor program is one more way of thanking veterans
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
"This is just another way of saying thank you to men and women who have sustained injury while serving their country in the armed services," explained Houston County Veterans Services Director Rob Gross about the Quilts of Valor program. "Any person who served since the war on terrorism began following 911, who sustained either physical or mental injury during combat or non-combat settings are eligible to come in and receive a hand-made quilt."
Gross was at the Dec. 11 Houston County Board meeting briefing the commissioners on the Quilts of Valor (QOV) program.
The idea for the program came from chaplains serving in the Middle East, who brought quilts to wounded military personnel. The quilts provided warmth, comfort, and a reminder of "home." These men of the cloth realized what a morel boost the home-made quilts gave, and began encouraging members of the church parishes back home to send more quilts.
QOV has grown to a nation-wide program, with Minnesota supplying more quilts to the troops than any other state. Countless groups across the U.S. are now producing the bright, colorful quilts, using all different themes. Each quilt comes in a package that includes photos of the people working on the quilts, a card of thanks to the military person who sacrificed so much for his or her country, and information as to where the quilt was made.
Gross noted veterans are asked to contact the veterans service officer in the county they currently reside in. That way, if there are other programs the veteran might be eligible for, the veterans service officer can get the ball rolling on other benefits.
"It's just another way to get in touch with more of the vets," Gross said. "There's still a lot of vets who are falling through the cracks. Many of them don't know about the various programs and benefits out there. Others feel their problems or issues aren't that serious and they don't want to take money away from others who need help more than they do. Some vets feel the benefits we're providing are like welfare or a handout. Nothing could be farther from the truth. These men and women served their country, they earned these benefits. And if they don't apply for them, the money will go somewhere else."
During the holiday season, and winter season, Gross is hoping the QOV program will help bring all eligible veterans living in Houston County to his office to receive all the benefits they have earned and deserve.
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