'It's good for the heart'

For the second straight year, the sound of sewing machines served as background noise for those taking part in the annual Spring Meetings at the Sheraton City Centre in Indianapolis. American Legion family members gathered to stitch and seam handmade quilts that will be distributed to wounded servicemembers and veterans recovering in military and Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, as well as any other veterans of any era.

The effort was part of Quilts of Valor Day of Service. More than 136,000 quilts have been distributed through the nationwide project since 2003.

Ann Rehbein, who organized the event with National Adjutant Daniel S. Wheeler’s wife, Kathy, said the 2015 quilt effort made an impact on those who participated.

“Everyone really enjoyed the one we did last year,” said Rehbein, a past Department of Iowa Auxiliary president and the wife of Past National Commander David Rehbein. “During the year people would come up to me and ask me if we were going to do it again this year.”

Twenty volunteers were there for the entire Day of Service; Rehbein said Barb Frank, the wife of Past National Commander Joe Frank, was a “big help.” Dozens of Legion family members stopped by to lend their support, including National Commander Dale Barnett, and Past National Commanders Frank and Rehbein, Jake Comer, Dan Dellinger, Clarence Bacon, Tom Bock and Daniel Ludwig.

Ludwig was one of dozens of Legion family members who lent their sewing “skills” to the project. “It’s just an amazing thing,” he said. “They’re beautiful quilts, and it’s just a wonderful thing to give to deserving veterans.”

Three quilts were completed during the day. “People think it’s a worthy project,” said Ann Rehbein, who has been involved with Quilts of Valor for four years. “They feel it’s a good way to spend a day.”

Ludwig agreed. “It’s just a neat effort (with) no controversy connected to it,” he said. “It’s good for the heart.”