Sewing the seeds of support for veterans

The buzz of sewing machines rang through the Sheraton City Centre in Indianapolis on May 4. The mission behind the stitching and seaming: to show appreciation to those who have served.

Going on in the building's Lower Lobby was a Quilts of Valor Day of Service, which took place in conjunction with the Legion’s Spring Meetings. Quilts of Valor is a nationwide program that provides handmade quilts to wounded servicemembers and veterans recovering in military and Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, as well as any other veterans of any era. More than 100,000 quilts have been awarded since the project started in 2003.

Ann Rehbein, wife of Past National Commander David K. Rehbein, a past president of the Department of Iowa Auxiliary, helped organized the event with Kathy Wheeler, the wife of National Adjutant Daniel S. Wheeler

“Kathy and I thought it would be great for the attendees at (the Spring Meetings) to come together and stitch quilts together … doing something in service for veterans,” Rehbein said. “Many times, (the quilts) go to World War II veterans, Korean War veterans, the older veterans who have never been thanked for their service – Vietnam veterans especially. They’re really appreciative of them."

Rehbein has been involved with Quilts of Valor for three years and has seen the impact the program makes. “Many times I’ve heard families come up to me when their veteran has passed away, and they have had (the quilt) at his funeral or on his coffin because it meant so much to him,” she said.

Wheeler said she attended a luncheon last year where Rehbein gave a presentation on Quilts of Valor. “We all thought that we have extra time during the meetings, and that’d just be a good way to put our time to use: to have a Day of Service,” Wheeler said. “It’s been awesome.”

Rehbein agreed. “It’s been a lot of fun – especially getting the Legionnaires to come in and sit down and put their personal touch on the quilt,” she said.

“We kind of herd them in, and they’re a little afraid to sit down,” Wheeler added. “But as soon as they sit down and do it … they’ll say, ‘This is a wonderful project.’”

Twenty-one volunteers were there for the entire Day of Service; more than 100 Legion family members stopped by to lend their support, including National Commander Michael D. Helm and Auxiliary National President Janet Jefford. Several past national commanders also made an appearance, including Past National Commander Joe Frank, who got a chance to sew for the first time in his life.

“For a wounded warrior, I’ll do that,” Frank said. “And I didn’t lose a finger.”

Frank loved the idea of bringing Quilts of Valor to the Spring Meetings. “I think this is an important thing for our nation’s veterans,” he said. “Not only that, but people see what we’re doing for veterans, for wounded warriors, with these quilts: putting quilts together (and) getting everybody involved. I think that’s very important. And we actually see it.”

Six quilts were assembled, which only added to Rehbein’s joy in how the event went. “It was a wonderful day seeing so many people care enough to give up a day in service to veterans,” she said.