500 and Counting
As a local volunteer for veterans, I was invited to attend a special presentation this last week.
The Texas Panhandle Quilts of Honor recognized several veterans this week by giving them a hand-stitched homemade quilt. Cindy and her daughter Shelly Gilbreath, and several ladies throughout the Panhandle, have led the cause for several years to bring recognition, warmth, and comfort to our Panhandle veterans. Their goal is to handmake a beautiful and patriotic quilt for each veteran in the Texas Panhandle. To date, they have made over 500 quilts for Texas Panhandle veterans.
The ceremony was held at Ussery-Roan Texas State Veterans Home. Women and men were recognized for their service in Vietnam and peacetime service.
Carl Jones was one that I was grateful to know previously when I served as a hospice volunteer. Carl was too young to sign up for the draft in the 1960s, but he convinced his dad to sign a permission paper, and at age 17, Carl entered military service and joined the Army.
Another WWII veteran was also recognized and received a quilt, but could not attend for health reasons, so his wife gratefully accepted his quilted gift.
Cindy and her band of ladies quietly go about doing a wonderful service for our veterans. Each patch of material, each stitch is a symbol of love and honor for each veteran that receives these wonderful works of gratitude. Thank you, Cindy and all the ladies of the Texas Panhandle Quilts of Honor. It is a poignant reminder to us all of why it is important to remember those that served our country and all of us.
Joel Carver
