Red, white, and blue runs through the veins of the women with the Krotz Springs Quilt Guild.
As member Anita Wiltz explains, “All of us have veterans in our family. My husband and dad were both in the military, Becky has a son.”
From husbands, fathers, to sons and brothers, the women of the quilt guild have a special place in their hearts for the men and women who serve our great country.
Every year, the ladies take hours out of their day to make quilts for those serving in all branches of the U.S. military.
The women consider this a small appreciation for years of service.
“These quilts, to me, bring validation to veterans that regardless of what they think is happening there are people in this country that really appreciate that sacrifice of leaving home and leaving behind children and family,” says quilter Becky Haaland. “Going into a war zone and not knowing if you’re coming back.”
While they consider this a small act of service, the quilt, which can take days to make, can mean the world to the those who receive them. Haaland found this out after sending one of her quilts to a friend who served over two decades in the U.S. Army.
“She videoed him when he opened the quilt, it was a nice surprise, and he had her shut the video off and he had a little breakdown,” says Haaland. “He said that he goes to work every day and no one, he doesn’t feel like anyone recognizes what he gave. He said just to think that someone thought this much about me.”
And think about those brave men and women, they do, with each and every stitch they make. The quilts made by the women will be donated to the St. Michael Center for Veterans.
