Nearly 80 current and former military service members who attended Bellefontaine Middle School’s veterans recognition program Friday also were gifted a special momento during the ceremony — a handmade patriot quilt created by Logan Piecemakers members.
In the upcoming years, the donation of 77 quilts to the veterans at the event will serve as a keepsake from the day and also a demonstration of how much they are supported by their community through the numerous hours of work in the individual stitches in the red, white and blue colored quilts.
“I’ll never forget this gesture,” said National Guard veteran Bill Gillenwater of Bellefontaine, who served from 1980 to 1992, as he walked from the school gymnasium carrying his quilt following the ceremony to partake of a breakfast at the school with his granddaughter, student Kaeley Gillenwater.
While unfolding his quilt featuring an American flag design, he flashed a large grin.
“This is a special piece. As a veteran, this means a lot to us.”
Twelve of the 30 Logan Piecemakers members attended the BMS ceremony to present the quilts to the veterans in attendance. Members said this is the third consecutive year for the patriot quilt effort that is making its way around the county.
“For our first year, we gave out quilts to the veterans at a Benjamin Logan ceremony. Last year, we presented quilts at Indian Lake Schools,” member Cindy Boone of Bellefontaine said.
“This year, we focused on Bellefontaine, and next year, we’ll move to Riverside Schools. We’d also like to do quilts for veterans attending the ceremony at Calvary Christian School as well — that is another well-attended event,” fellow member Iris Raines of DeGraff said.
The Logan Piecemakers members related that Margie Bixler was in charge of organizing this year’s patriot quilts for Bellefontaine, and other members of the quilting guild will take turns leading the project for their respective areas of Logan County.
The patriot quilts can come in a variety of sizes, but on the whole, are designed as lap quilts, keeping in mind that they will keep veterans and their families cozy as they lounge on upcoming cold winter evenings.
“The quilt designs vary a little, as everyone has different designs that they like to do. Some feature patriotic panels, but they all incorporate red, white and blue in some way,” member Diane Smith of Bellefontaine said.
The labor of love of creating the patriot quilts takes place as time allows throughout the year, the members related.
“We’ve worked on the quilts during the past year, whenever we have the chance,” Sharon Johnson said.
“We had about 40 leftover quilts after last year’s ceremony at Indian Lake, but this year, this was our biggest event to date and we gave away all of our quilts, so we will really have to get busy for next year.”
Observing the reactions of the veterans to the surprise gift was rewarding for the quilt guild members.
“I think once they get these pieces home and have time to notice each of the stitches and handiwork, they will really be touched by the effort that was put into it,” Mrs. Raines said.
“We are glad to do it and appreciate them for their sacrifices they made for our country.”