Help is needed. . .

Time seems to fly by so quickly these days. . . Here we are, already into April and there is SO much to be done! We are in need of many things to keep this project going. First, time. . . such a valuable commodity! I have been given 12 pieced quilt tops. A couple need a border added to make them a bit larger, and they all need to be quilted, then binding put on. I simply cannot do it by myself, I wish I could. Second, I need the batting and backing to go along with these tops. (Either donated or the funds needed to purchase.) Third, someone willing to do simple machine quilting at little or no charge. Fourth, quilts fully completed. Fifth, help in adding the binding to finished quilts. And sixth, monetary donations to cover the expenses not donated. It costs approximately $80-$150 per quilt to finish, depending on the size. I have received some fabric donations which is greatly appreciated! Right now, we have 20 quilts (once the 12 are complete), and I'd like to have 30. Please consider how you might be able to help us keep supporting the families who have have lost a soldier in the continued war on terror.

Following is a quote from one of the first to receive a quilt from the Travis Project. This young man served alongside Travis in Afghanistan and was with him when he was killed...
"I'd like to thank all of those who support us here in the military. The quilt that I was given has been part of my life in the past few months. I've traveled across the United States with it, it helped me make my travel from North Carolina to California very warm. What it stands for will always be in my heart, I once again thank you all who have been close to us and aided us to feel safe at home once again."

Coming soon . . .

My sincerest apologies for the lapse in adding anything to the blog. Alot has been happening in the past several months that has kept me way too busy! Please check back for a special section of "Notes and Quotes" from those who have been affected by our project. You won't want to miss it . . .

Congratulations to Ms. Kelsey Hunsberger and Luis Morales!! They are engaged and plan to be married this summer. I'm sure big brother is smiling :)

Monica Joseph is doing an article on the project for Elkhart County Living . . . watch for it!

And . . . the "Blankets of Love" project coordinated by Jeanette's Fabric Boutique in Wakarusa is underway. Each year customers and employees make and donate blankets to several local organizations such as RETA, Hannah'a House, CAPS, and the Fire Dept./EMT's. Quilts of Honor usually receives several from this project as well. Last year over 300 blankets were turned in!!

As of this writing, tentative plans are to head to Ft. Bragg sometime in June or July. It would be absolutely fantastic to take 30+ quilts with me!!! More details will follow soon.

Remember to continually pray for those who serve and protect our freedoms every day.

God Bless you, and may God bless the USA!!!

A New Request. . .

It is with a sadness that I make this new request. . . once again lives have been lost. We all watch the news and know that. For me it has taken on a more personal note ever since we lost Travis, and even more since my visit this past May. I have recently learned the 7th Group of Ft. Bragg has lost another 6 men just in the past 3 months. . . that's just one group. I really feel led to deliver quilts to the wives/parents of those men as quickly as possible. I currently have 5 quilt tops that need to be quilted. I would like to have 12-15 to take down. If at all possible I would like to deliver them before Thanksgiving, don't know why, just the time frame the Lord has laid on my heart. I have not made any arrangements yet. I'm in need of the usual. . . everything. Quilt tops, completed quilts, and donations. Someone who would do the machine quilting at little or no cost would be wonderful! Please consider how you might help.

I hope to post on here in a few days a special segment consisting of quotes from those who have received our quilts or been involved in some way. It has been a tremendous blessing to me to hear from so many, and I'd like to share with the rest of you. I'm in the process of getting approval before quoting, and then editing.

On a personal note, please remember my family this week as we approach the 1 year anniversary of my niece's death. . . it's been a long year. We know that Lisa is basking in the presence of our Heavenly Father, but our hearts still ache at our loss.

Dedication of War Memorial in Wakarusa

On Saturday July 18th, more then 300 people turned out for the dedication of the War Memorial and garden in Wakarusa, in honor of Travis and those who have served and are serving our country. What a beautiful day in so many ways...perfect temperatures, sunny skies, and a spirit of patriotism filled the air. The monument area is horseshoe shaped and contains brick pavers with the names, ranks, and branches of service, of citizens with ties to Wakarusa. In the center is a bronze statue of a pair of boots, a rifle, and a helmet. The base of the statue has engravings, which you see pictured below. The National Guard Color Guard was present, bagpipers played, Pastor Harper of Bible Baptist Church played "Taps", and the NorthWood Middle School choir under the direction of Tonya Angle sang, along with Martin Flowers. Travis' father sang the National Anthem as well. A ribbon cutting ceremony led by Town Mgr. Tom Roeder took place, and CPT Don Heichel spoke along with Pastor Paul Commons of Wakarusa Missionary Church. The crowd was a mixture of family, friends, fireman, servicemen, American Legion Riders, veterans, young children and the not so young. All present to pay tribute to sacrifices made, past and present. Near the memorial is a gazebo with a glider, it has become a favorite spot of mine in recent weeks to just sit, reflect, and pray...sometimes shed a few tears. And also close by is "Susie's Garden", a small, beautiful flower garden lovingly tended by Susie and Nick Culp. If you live locally and haven't been back to either of these yet, you're missing out. If you visit us, be sure and stop back to see them, you'll be glad you did.
I've been slow to post anything since my last entry because words fail me. For those who know me well, that doesn't happen very often :) I'm at a loss to describe the emotions that run through me when I stop to pray for those who are serving around the world right now, and for their families. I wish I was physically capable of communicating to each and every one of them what their sacrifice means to me. That's why this Quilt Project began...it has to continue..won't you please help? I have another goal of the first part of October for another delivery, but funds are once again low. Ask yourself if this is something you can help with, and if the answer is yes, contact me.
God bless you all!
Please enjoy the following pictures. I tried to limit the amount but it's hard, I want you all to see and share in this experience with me...

A year has past. . .

A year ago today, Travis Kent Hunsberger paid the ultimate price for our freedom...he gave his life. In some ways this past year has flown by, in other ways, it has seemed eternally endless. It's been a year of grieving, fond memories, great hope of a heavenly reunion, memorial services, tributes, sharing, and caring. I've met people I probably might never have met had it not been for Travis' death, special people from all walks of life. The common bond is his life, and his love of life, and family, and friends, and his God, and his country. We all wish he were still with us, no doubt, but Travis is OK because he rests in the arms of his heavenly Father. And something else has happened to me too...I stand a little straighter when I see the flag, I pray more fervently for our servicemen, I take life one day at a time now, I love more deeply, and I understand more clearly that freedom is not free. To Steve, Ronda, Kyle, Sam, & Kelsey...thank-you for allowing me to be a part of so much of your lives this past year, I love you all so much! To Luis, Tony, Ramone & Emmy, Ron & Sylvia, Brian S., Brian D., Mike & LeAnna, Patrick, David, & Chris...thank-you for sharing the Travis you knew and for allowing me to be a part of your lives as well. It's been an honor and a privilege and I love you all! May God keep you safe as you continue to serve Him and our country, and may He grant you peace as well...To the many of you who have contributed in some way over the past year, a huge thank-you! You'll never know what your efforts have meant to so many. Please help me keep this project going...I will be revamping it and changing a few things in the new future, but am still taking all forms of donations. There is the possibility of another quilt delivery in the fall, I will let you all know soon...And as always, may the Lord bless you all and may He continue to bless America!

Remembering the fallen and those left behind. . .

I don't even know where to begin this entry. I've tried to keep this about the quilts and not get too personal, but after the week I've experienced, it's hard not to be personal. First, I need to once again offer a HUGE THANK-YOU to everyone who played a part in this project! Some donated finances, some donated quilt tops, whole quilts, free quilting, quilt blocks, and the finishing of the quilts by binding. And my understanding boss, Jeanette Prenkert, donated my work time to allow me to finish in the final days before I left.
I wish every one of you could have made the trip...I will carry with me the personal satisfaction of what we have done, for a lifetime. Unfortunately, we could do more. I saw several people who looked longingly at the quilts and I wished with all my heart I had more to give out. I would like to keep making and "stockpiling" so we don't get caught in a rush again, so if you're willing, keep 'em coming! They are most definitely appreciated! It has spoken volumes to many to know that we care enough to share our time, talents, and resources with those who are serving or have served us.
I was privileged to attend the Gold Star luncheon with Steve and Ronda, in which the families of fallen soldiers were recognized. I was overwhelmed, and not for the only time, at the realization that every table, and there were many, represented a family who had lost a loved one. At the Memorial Service, each name was read and a bell sounded for the names added to the wall...I cannot even put those feelings at that moment into words...sadness, pride, gratitude...don't even touch it. I met wives, mothers, fathers, and children of those men. Faces I'll never forget, I don't WANT to forget. The death of Travis brought the war home...meeting his team put another face on the war...this past week added another whole dimension for me. I have been changed since June 27th, 2008...I see life differently then ever before, I want to laugh more, live better, and love more freely. I have a new family and they reside in North Carolina...I miss them already. I've already received two emails from a sweet lady who tended to us at our get together Thursday night. Her husband is currently deployed, she calls me her new sister. I love it! But there is also alot of hurt and anger out there...pray for my friends to find peace. Some of them have seen and experienced more then you or I could begin to imagine.
The biggest lesson I've learned in the last year is this, we do not know what tomorrow holds...live with no regrets, be sure your loved ones know you love them, and be ready to meet your Savior. I'm not perfect in any way, but I'm doing my best to make my world better...God bless you all!
God Bless our soldiers and their families...

Names of Soldiers honored at the Memorial Service:
Fallen, but not forgotten. . .

SSG Jeremy E Bessa
SSG John C Brite
SSG Jason L Brown
SGT Nicholas A Casey
CPT Richard G Cliff, Jr.
SSG Josepg F Curreri
SSG Anthony D Davis
CPR Benjamin C Dillon
SPC Christopher Gathercole
SSG Travis K Hunsberger
SPC Thomas Duncan III
SSG Frank J Gasper
MSG David L Hurt
MAJ Robert D Lindendau
CPT Shane R Mahaffee
SSG Ryan D Maseth
CW3 Hershel D McCants, Jr.
SFC David L McDowell
SFC Jamie S Nicholas
SFC David Nunez
SGT Timothy P Padgett
SSG Robert J Paul
SSG Robert R Pirelli
CW3 John A Quinlan
SFC Jeffrey M Radamorales
SGT Nicholas A Robertson
SGT William P Rudd
MSG Shawn E Simmons
SSG David W Textor
SGT James E Treber
SFC Michael J Tully
SFC Gary J Vasquez
SPC Travis R Vaughn
CW5 Jamie D Weeks
SSG Joshua R Whitaker
MSG Mitchell W Young

Pictures of Quilts and North Carolina!!

Be patient as you watch the slide show, I had a hard time deciding what to post and what to leave out! Believe me, this is only about half of what I could've shown you! I will post details in another entry, this one is dedicated to pictures. Enjoy. . .