Hickory firefighters awarded Quilts of Valor
On Sunday, May 4, in conjunction with International Firefighters Day, seven Hickory Fire Department firefighters, who are also Veterans, were awarded Quilts of Valor (QOF) by members of the Catawba Valley Quilters' Guild. These brave men have served in our nation's military and returned home to continue service in our community.
Andrew Dixion (US Marine Corps), Chris Allison (US Navy), Bo Johnson (US Marine Corps), Brandon Williams (US Army), Jonas Bradshaw (US Army), Brandan Daniels (US Army National Guard), and Eric Sprinkle (US Air Force) received quilts.
The Quilts of Valor Foundation (QOVF) is a national, nonprofit organization whose mission is to cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor in gratitude for their military service to the United States of America. Since 2003, members of QOVF have awarded over 410,000 Quilts of Valor to Veterans and Service members in the United States, Germany, Iraq, and Afghanistan. More than 11,000 QOV members span the 50 states as individuals and groups.
In 2015, members of the Catawba Valley Quilters' Guild added Quilts of Valor to their first two Missions: "Premie Quilts" for the local hospital Neonatal Wards and "Sunshine Quilts" and pillowcases for the Children's Advocacy Center and Shelter Home of Caldwell County. After Hurricane Helene, guild members also made and sent 138 "Mountain Quilts" to Asheville to assist in recovery efforts. In the past 10 years, the Catawba Valley Quilters' Guild has hosted "Mission Days" during which members and local sewers meet and make Mission Quilts, including Quilts of Valor. Just over 750 Quilts of Valor have been made with love and gratitude by local quilters and awarded to local Veterans.
To find more information about the Quilts of Valor Foundation or to nominate a Veteran or Service member to receive a QOV, please visit www.qovf.org.
To learn more information about the Catawba Valley Quilters' Guild, please visit www.catawbavalleyquiltersguild.com or join them at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hickory on the second Thursday of each month at either 10 a.m. or 6:30 p.m. for regular meetings. Check the website "Events" page for Mission Day dates each month.
Pictured (left to right) are Andrew Dixion (US Marine Corps), Chris Allison (US Navy), Bo Johnson (US Marine Corps), Brandon Williams (US Army), Jonas Bradshaw (US Army), Brandan Daniels (US Army National Guard), and Eric Sprinkle (US Air Force).