Patriotic patchwork

POST FALLS — The warmth provided by a Quilt of Valor is a unique kind of comfort.

"It's not a 'heat' warm, it's a 'being honored' warm. I'm not sure how you describe that," Frank Quattrocchi said after being wrapped in his new quilt.

Quattrocchi served in the Army from 1966 to 1968. He was one of four veterans honored with a Quilt of Valor during a Veterans Day ceremony Friday at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Post Falls.

"In all my years, I've never been so honored," said Quattrocchi, who served stateside at Fort Huachuca in Arizona during the Vietnam War.

"This is really something," he said.

Also honored were World War II Marine Corps veteran Gladys Stevens and Vietnam War Army veterans Bob Doyle and Tom Young.

Stevens served in the Marines from 1943 to 1946.

"I worked in the pay office during World War II," she said.

Usually crafted in patterns of red, white and blue, Quilts of Valor are symbolic gifts to not only bring warmth and comfort to combat veterans, but also to help heal a warrior's heart. Service members and veterans can be nominated through the Quilts of Valor Foundation at qovf.org. Through this program, veterans are recognized for their service and sacrifices and presented with the blankets during special ceremonies.

Quilts of Valor are made with three layers, each with its own significance. The top layer, with its different colors, shapes and patterns, represents communities and individuals. The batting in the middle represents the hope that the quilt will bring comfort, peace and healing to the recipient. The backing is the strength that supports the other layers, representing the strength of the person who receives it, as well as the support of their families, communities and country. Every stitch holding everything together represents the love, gratitude and tears of the person who made it.

"I think it's wonderful," Doyle said with a big smile. "It's the most wonderful thing that's ever happened to me.

"I'm honored," Young said. "I'm very much humbled at the generosity."

This was the first Quilts of Valor presentation at the veterans home, which opened one year ago this month. The quilts were made with love by members of the Patriotic Piecers, the local Quilts of Valor group.

Giannine O’Connor, Quilts of Valor North Idaho coordinator, said the Patriotic Piecers have been actively making quilts in anticipation of the home opening.

"We are beyond excited to finally be able to start awarding quilts here, and we're going to continue to do that every few months," she said.

    Vietnam War veteran Tom Young inspects his new Quilt of Valor during a ceremony Friday at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Post Falls. North Idaho Quilts of Valor coordinator Giannine O’Connor is holding up the blanket as Kathy Whetstine, right, assists.
  

    World War II veteran Gladys Stevens looks up at Kathy Whetstone after she receives a Quilt of Valor during a Veterans Day ceremony Friday. Also pictured: Giannine O’Connor.
  

    Vietnam veteran Bob Doyle receives a surprise visit from his friend's great-granddaughter, Kami Gravelle, 7, during a Quilts of Valor ceremony Friday. Also pictured: Giannine O’Connor, left and Kathy Whetstine.