Seven Leeds veterans received a Quilt of Valor in honor of Veterans Day Friday, Nov. 8, at Leeds Arts Council. These quilts, handmade by quilters from local quilt guilds, were awarded by a national organization called Quilts of Valor, which began in 2003 by a Blue Star Mother, Katherine Roberts. Kate Starcher, the North-Central Alabama Director, conducted the presentations along with organizers, Lyn O’Leary, Marilyn Milstead and Phyllis Menger.

Each Quilt of Valor included the names of the quilters that made that particular quilt and the recipients.

The Heartland Quilt Guild in Cullman created the quilt awarded to Jonathan Wilson. Wilson served in the United States Air Force from 1968-1973. He served on a remote tour in Greenland. He was an Air Traffic Controller Officer stationed in California, Texas, Mississippi and Michigan.

A Quilt of Valor is intended to honor veterans for their service, sacrifice and valor.

There are thousands of volunteer quilters in the U.S. who work daily to create quilts that cover warriors from all conflicts. A Quilt of Valor may be fashioned by only one member or may be made through the combined efforts of many who wish to honor these heroes.

Other Leeds veterans receiving quilts were: Steve Karr, Kenneth McClure, John Patrick O’Leary, Roger Sheppard and Gary Suckow.

Other quilts were provided by the Birmingham Quilters Guild, the West Alabama Quilters Guild in Tuscaloosa and the Evening Star Quilt Guild in Shelby County, as well as individual Quilts of Valor member and Leeds resident, Della Darby.

For more information about Quilts of Valor, visit their website at https://qovf.org/.