Chapter 684 Members Receive Quilts

Minnesota’s Grateful Hearts Quilters group recently presented members of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 684 with 26 quilts. The group presented the quilts — each handmade by volunteer quilters — to the veterans in conjunction with the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

“I’ve been quilting since 2000, and in the last three years, the majority of my quilts have been for the Quilts of Valor,” quilter Linda Novotny told the Isanti County News. “Being able to do this for the veterans and active military lets me show my gratitude and appreciation for everything they’ve done for our country.”

Most quilts are put together by multiple volunteers, and all are labeled with the names of the creators. Each measures 60 by 80 inches, and the group has made and presented more than 130 quilts already this year.

Chapter 684 President Rod Leick helped ensure that each member of the group was presented with a quilt. “I really appreciate all the time and effort that the volunteers put into sharing their love for the veterans and making these blankets for all of us,” he said. “It really means a lot to all of us to be recognized and appreciated all these years later.”

“I got my quilt about two months ago,” said Army veteran Gene Okerlund. “I thought it was a really nice gesture, because back in the 1960s very few people thanked you when you came back from Vietnam. Now being presented with the quilt feels almost like being presented with a medal; it really makes you feel good and lifts your spirits.”




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