Washington County Fair Quilts of Valor Presentation recognizes 10 Veterans

A new event was hosted at the Washington County Fair July 19 as a special recognition of Veterans. During this presentation 10 Veterans were awarded with their own handmade patriotic quilt registered as a Quilt of Valor though the national Quilts of Valor foundation. In June a special Quilt Camp was hosted by Washington County 4-H and led by Brenna Goode with several quilting volunteers as mentors. Participants learned how to piece a quilt top and also complete the binding. Nine youth participated in the weeklong camp to make their own quilt. These quilts were completed for county fair and on display in Dallmeyer Hall during the fair.

Each youth participant selected a Veteran or were paired with one to receive the quilts. For many of the youth participating, this was their very first time designing and sewing a quilt.

Amy Green, Washington County 4-H and Youth Coordinator, was excited to present this vision to the Wellman Quilting Guild this winter as a dream and then the right combination of volunteers, donations, and youth made it reality. “We are proud of these youth wanting to recognize and honor Veterans in this way. It was a special ceremony, I think, we all will remember,” said Green.

4-H alum Bailey Rees started the ceremony with the national anthem, a few words were shared by 4-Her Caedyn Huston who has a passion for military history and had a Citizenship project selected for the Iowa State Fair telling the story of World War II Veterans, Brenna Goode thanked volunteers and sponsors, and each Veteran was then recognized with a simple summary of their service and then were wrapped in love by their quilt.

Youth were able to meet with their Veterans before the ceremony to show the complete quilts, get to know each other a bit, and take pictures.