Veterans wrap themselves in their Quilts of Valor

At our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church five members of the Knights of Columbus received their quilts of valor.

The purpose of the QOV Foundation is to cover service members and veterans who have been touched by war with comfort and peace and healing.

In 2003 Catherine Robert had a vision of a young man and woman surrounded by war. Her next vision was seeing the servicemen and women being wrapped in quilts of comfort and peace. This began the journey of the quilts for soldiers, not recognized as the Quilts Of Valor Foundation .

The first quilt was delivered to Walter Reed Hospital in October 2003. To date, there has been almost 300,000 quilts made by loving hands. QOV is a lifetime award. These quilts, unlike a blanket, consist of three layers. The top layer consists of an array of colors, shapes and pieces of fabric which represent the many faces of all who served in our Armed Forces.

The center batting is the part that emits warmth. Held between the layers it represents comfort and healing. The back of the quilt is its strength. Together with 1,000 stitches they represent service men and women, their families and communities all coming together supporting one another.

These quilts represent the gratitude of the citizens for the sacrifice and service of our Armed Forces.

These quilts are priceless and no two are alike. With each stitch there is a memory, tear and love for Armed Forces who have fought for our freedom.

The ceremony at our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church began with Father Jim leading in prayer. Following prayer was the folding of the United States of America flag.

In the Armed Forces of the United States, at a ceremony of retreat the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation’s honored deceased. The following morning it is brought out and the ceremony of revival, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body.

The first fold of the flag is a symbol of life. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life. The third fold is in remembrance of our veterans who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world. The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, as American citizens trusting in God. It is to our Lord that we turn in times of peace, war and for His guidance. The fifth fold is a tribute of our country in dealing with other countries, within our borders or abroad. The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. Within our hearts we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies. The eighth fold is a tribute to the ones who have entered into the valley of the shadow of death, and to honor the mothers for which it flies on Mother’s Day. The ninth fold is a tribute to motherhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that their character of the women and men who have made our country great have been modeled. The 10th fold is a tribute to fatherhood, for they have given their sons and daughters with the defense of our country. The 11th fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew Citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The 12th fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the eyes, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

After the folding of the flag the students of our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic School honored our veterans by joining in the song, God Bless America.

At the end of the ceremony the veterans were wrapped in their quilts of valor, of peace and honor.