Here it is, Memorial Day again. This is the day when we take time to reflect upon our military and feel grateful for their countless sacrifices. We’re also grateful for those who support our soldiers and their families. When I think of people who support the troops, the Virginia Memorial Quilt Project immediately pops into my mind and doesn’t leave it long enough to think of anything else.
Led by the ever-resourceful Debbie Elam, this dedicated band of volunteers created their own non-partisan organization back in 2006. Their mission is to support those Virginia families who have made the gut-wrenching sacrifice of losing a loved one in either Iraq or Afghanistan. Living out their motto “Together, We Will Not Forget,” they seek out these mourning families and then volunteer to make a quilt for each of them in colors of their choosing.
Have you ever thought how long it takes to make a quilt, a big quilt of 72 by 90 inches? I don’t know myself exactly, but I do know that it sure is a huge time commitment. And they have made them for over ninety families, complete and total strangers, to help heal their broken hearts even a tiny bit. They are the biggest patriots I know.
I had the privilege of meting this big-hearted group of women when I wrote an article on their organization for “Fifty Plus Magazine” two years ago back in June 2007. Click the following link to read the full article from my website: www.libbymcnamee.com/50Plus%20Mag/VirginiaMemorialQuiltProject.pdf
In addition to the quilts, the group has an informative website at www.vmqp.com. They also sponsor an annual luncheon reception for the families to give them a chance to meet each other, remember their lost ones together, and grieve with others who truly understand their pain. I have attended the past two years — it is a moving and bittersweet experience for everyone there, all united by their common pain.
Last weekend they held a public celebration in Powhatan to recognize Armed Forces Day, gathering supplies to send to the VA National Guard members deployed to Iraq. (They were covering all of the postage as well.) So I headed out there with Sam to see the humvee and troop carrier they had on display. While we were there, a woman from Arlington, VA, happened to be driving by the sign and stopped to see what the festivities were all about. As it turns out, she herself had lost her husband in Iraq last June, but the ladies at VMQP had been unable to locate her address to contact her and offer her a quilt.
This grieving widow got an unexpected chance to laugh, cry, and tell her painful story to these wonderful ladies who truly care. With that chance encounter alone, they considered the day to be a huge success. It was! And soon she will have a beautiful homemade quilt made with lots of love.
LibbY
PS If you would like more information or to donate, their website is www.vmqp.com
LibbY