Many to thank...

Welcome to "Quilts of Honor - the Travis Project"

Quilts of Honor - the Travis Project, was created out of a desire to honor not only the memory of SSG Travis Hunsberger, but to show honor and respect to the men and women he served with. I made a quilt for Steve & Ronda, Travis' parents, and presented the idea of making more quilts for the soldiers at Fort Bragg. There are numerous wonderful organizations who provide quilts to wounded and hospitalized soldiers, but I felt led to do something different. We decided our first project would be to provide a quilt to each of the men in Travis' unit at the time of his death. Our goal was to accomplish this by Christmas. I am happy to report that we have exceeded our goal, and on December 10 2008, two men from our church, Wakarusa Missionary, headed off to North Carolina to deliver 19 quilts!! In May of 2009, we were able to deliver another 33 quilts!! Since then, we have delivered approximately 40 more quilts to families of the fallen and also to Wounded Warriors. Your help is still needed in lots of ways if we are to keep this project ongoing. First and foremost, pray for these brave men and women who serve each day to keep us free and protect us from those who would seek to do our nation harm. If you are a sewist or quilter, I can use you, if you would like to donate fabric or funds, I can use you. If you'd like to leave an encouraging word, or perhaps you knew Travis and would like to share a memory, I can use that too!

For more information on how you can help, contact me through this blog, by phone @ 574-849-7930, or by email, mamabech@msn.com.

To mail donations, send them to:

Quilts of Honor, c/o Dawn Bechtel, P.O. Box 613, Wakarusa, IN 46573. (Checks should be made out to Quilts of Honor.)

Thanks for stopping by, God bless you, and God Bless America!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Many to thank...

Well, I have managed to finish two quilt tops and give them to Michaela to quilt, and I have a third one started. Sally and Debbie each finished quilt tops as well as Travis' aunt Mary. (I will put up more pictures soon!) Sherryl Tobias from Nappanee has offered to quilt some for us at NO CHARGE, which is a tremendous blessing. I am extremely grateful to the many people who are taking time to give of themselves and their talents to help with this project. Many others have offered to do more after Christmas which encourages me to know this will go on...
I'm doing my best to stretch the donations that have come in, but there are still some expenses to be met, such as batting and backing fabric. Please pray that these needs will be met in a timely manner.

I'd also like to thank the many who have prayed for our family during this difficult time. It has been felt and is truly appreciated.
God bless you all! and...
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

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QUILT REQUIREMENTS

Many have asked what the requirements for finished quilts are. We are asking that they be at least 60 x 72 finished and be made out of Red, White & Blue fabrics. They can be hand or machine quilted, or they can be knotted comforters.

If donating fabric, be sure it is in Reds, Whites, & Blues and at least 1/2 yards. Pre-washing is not necessary. Actually I prefer it NOT be pre-washed.

If you want to help but do not have time or resources for an entire quilt, please contact me. I have Block Kits and some fabric available for your use.

If you are a machine quilter and would like to donate your services that would be GREATLY appreciated!

And of course, if you are not a quilter but still want to help, monetary donations are always welcome to help pay for finishing expenses as well as the quilts we make ourselves.

About Travis...

SSG Travis Kent Hunsberger
2/4/84 - 6/27/08

Travis was a senior at NorthWood High School in 2001 when the Twin Towers were attacked in NY. He graduated and continued on to college until December 2003 when he enlisted in the Army. The recruiter said Travis was the first young man that walked in the door and said, "sign me up!" We truly believe that God laid on Travis' heart to serve his country and do his part to make it safe.
Travis graduated from Special Forces at Fort Bragg, NC in July 2006. It was obvious how happy and fulfilled he was as a Green Beret. Travis loved the camaraderie of that special bond and brotherhood.
Following are some of the thoughts he shared with his sister who was writing a paper on terrorism her senior year. Travis was in Afghanistan in the middle of his second deployment in May 2008 when he wrote, "Some of us have put our lives on the line . . . this is not a game of win or lose - it is a constant struggle of standing our ground as a country and showing those who would see us destroyed, that we are a country united, even though the war is a half a world away."
Travis was killed on June 27, 2008 in Tarin Kowt, Afganistan. While on foot patrol on a reconnaissance mission, he stepped on an IED. This was his second tour in Afghanistan.
His family and friends have been so proud of Travis and he is deeply loved and will be forever missed. He truly made this world a better place. We rejoice that he is whole, safe, and eternally happy. He was a warrior and is forever our hero.
We love you Travis!

submitted by his parents, Steve & Ronda Hunsberger