lost heroes art quilt exhibit . . .

Yesterday I had the honor and privilege to work as a volunteer at the Lost Heroes Art Quilt project exhibit at our local Botanical Gardens. If you've not seen it or heard about it, you should check out their website (or read the rest of this post -- LOL).

It's a combination of a book . . .

And a beautiful, poignant quilt, to honor of those who have fallen while in the armed services to our country. Particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The quilt was worthy of hours of study. It was breathtaking and heartbreaking at the same time. I purposefully didn't compress the above photo or the next three photos, so you can click on them and see them/read them clearly.

In the book she (Julie Feingold) talks about why she used childhood photos of the men/women who'd died. It sure does grab your attention just a little more, to look at a child's face in fatigues, and know that there is someone's baby who's not coming home.

She also spent a lot of time weaving in a secret message, using the colored crosses in each block -- you can see them if you go back up to the picture of the quilt. I stood there for a bit, trying to figure out the code, but upside down, in the above picture, she's got the answer! In the book she explains that it was also her way of nodding to those who served in the Civil War (connecting the controversial 'quilted messages' of the day).

I took closeups of the Alabama and Maryland blocks -- my two home states -- and took a picture of the page in the book dedicated to the Alabama soldier.

It was near impossible to read about each soldier/sailor without tearing up. The author interviewed a mom or close relative or friend to write an entry for each one.

Also, in the book, along with the child photo that's on the quilt, was a current photo, his name, where he was stationed/attached, and how he died. Again, I didn't compress the above photo and if you click on it, you'll be able to read the entire page. Don't do it unless you have a tissue handy.

Each soldier/sailor is stitched into place and then the jackets -- which are genuine G.I. Joe doll jackets are appliqued over the picture, onto the quilt. She notes in the book that it took her a long time to collect all the different jackets in the right styles.

Seeing this quilt was an incredible experience. If it's coming to a location near you, I strongly encourage you to check it out! The schedule of upcoming exhibits is HERE. From our stop it goes on to Jacksonville, Florida.

Also on display was a replica of a Civil War quilt that had been given to an Alabama family who'd lost a loved one to the current war.

Quilts and quilters are providing comfort and awareness; and still it seems like such a little thing in comparison to the ultimate sacrifice.

Tomorrow I'll post pictures of some of the patriotic themed quilts our guild members provided to be on display along with the Lost Heroes quilt.

To those lost heroes, and those currently serving, I salute you.

:)

proud to be an american . . .

(Click the flag to check out the official U.S. Veterans' Day website.)

I remember the first time I heard this classic song by Lee Greenwood, Proud to be An American (hear one rendition with a pictorial tribute to soldiers on YouTube, HERE). I was a young sailor, standing on a dock in Norfolk, Virginia, waiting for the USS Shenandoah to dock after a six month Med cruise. Listening to words brought tears to my eyes.

(Can you spot me? Bottom row, 2nd from the right!)

Each time I've heard it since, the tears still come. I am proud to be an American. I'm fiercely patriotic and so very grateful for those who've gone before to secure my beliefs and liberties . . . for centuries, American men and women have sacrificed so very much defending this country.

I am proud to be an American. And I won't forget the men [and women] who died, who gave that right to me. My heartfelt thanks to those who have served in the past and those who are currently serving our country, as well as their families. May God bless them.

I will spend this Veteran's Day seeking those who've served, and expressing my gratitude.

:)

Happy Veteran's Day!

Yesterday I had the privilege of going to Lynn Fanning Elementary school to speak to several third grade classes about the time I spent in the U.S. Navy, why I joined, and why Veteran's Day is so important. There were three of us speaking; a young second lieutenant from the U.S. Army, a WWII U.S. Marine vet, and myself, the U.S. Navy Vet.

The first thing I did was hand out pictures of me in my uniform, so they could see that I really was in the Navy! I also let them pass around my ribbons and my medals. I wished I had more carefully saved more of that stuff.

They were interested and asked some very good questions. It was a lot of fun. Listening to Mr. Mullins, the Marine vet, was lots of fun, too. He had some great stories! The kids were mostly interested in guns and shooting. I had to share with them that sailors and soldiers can do lots more jobs than just fighting! LOL!

In the end, we took a picture with the three of us and as much of the students as we could fit in the frame. It was a fun hour. The kids were absolutely great. A couple of the kids asked each one of us if we knew someone. In their minds, I guess, the military is a small club and we should know everyone in it!

The lieutenant had told them that he wore his uniform so that everyone on his "team" would know that he was on their team and wouldn't shoot him. One of the children raised his hand and asked if the lieutenant knew so-and-so. The lieutenant shook his head no. The child then said, "Well he wears that same uniform, so he's on your team." The lieutenant smiled and said, "It's a really big team!" I thought that was great!

Here's a young Legalman Second Class Petty Officer, fresh out of Justice School, serving at the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Virginia. When I passed this picture around, the children kept exclaiming, "That looks like Mrs. Merkel!" (My daughter, who is one of their teachers, who is close to the age I was in the following picture!)

And here I am in the group -- the NAB Little Creek Color Guard! The elite of the elite! What fun that was -- I do miss it! Gosh, didn't we look serious????

You know, as proud as I am to have served my country, I know that there are so many, many more who's lives were given as sacrifice on my behalf and on behalf of this great country. I am truly thankful. May I always remember--and in remembering, cause others to remember--the tremendous service of others to this country.

Happy Veteran's Day!

:)