Thank-you isn't enough. . .

Since my last posting, donations have poured in! Many, many thanks to the American Legion Riders, Sons of the American Legion, American Legion Post 154, and the American Legion Auxiliary 154! Other personal monetary donations have been received as well. Many hours of sewing and quilting have been donated by a wonderful group of ladies. I was able to set up a display at Nappanee's Second Saturday event on June 12th. A customer from the store where I work dropped of five completed quilt tops, our sewing club made quilt blocks, and several more ladies are bringing in finished quilts in the next few weeks! I am completely humbled and extremely grateful!! Steve and Ronda have been able to make contact with a couple local families and have been delivering the completed quilts. God bless them for their willingness to share in this way. We are currently looking for a way to contact the families of the fallen here in Indiana so that they know we are "legit". If you are reading this blog and have lost a loved one in conflict since 9/11 or personally know someone who has, PLEASE email me at mamabech@msn.com with contact information. We want to get our quilts wrapped around those who need them most. . .

Progress!!

Thank-you never seems like enough to say when people give so generously! The last year has been difficult. . . As I've sought direction and guidance as to where to go with this project, I kept seemingly running into walls instead of open doors. In December in a conversation with two good friends, things changed. Thank you Mike and Tracey for your generous donation that allowed me to purchase the materials I needed to finish the 12 quilt tops that have been laying in my sewing room waiting. Through them I also had the honor of speaking to the American Legion Riders of Nappanee. Before I left that evening, I had a check in hand that will allow me to do some great things to keep the project alive! And it's not stopping! Meetings are being scheduled with other organizations that want to hear about what we are doing and possibly support us. Thank you Mike for being excited and for spreading the word and handing out brochures! After talking to Ronda about some ideas shared with me, it was exciting to learn she and Steve had also been thinking of some of the same things. A few changes will be made to how we distribute quilts. Our focus, for now, is going to be the families of fallen Indiana soldiers. Our desire is to continue to bring comfort in a small way, and to show our support for those who serve and those who sacrifice. As we work out the details, I will share more at a later date.
And I cannot forget to say a HUGE Thank-you to the faithful women who help me sew, quilt, and finish our quilts! They are some of the most caring, kind, and wonderful people and great friends! Thank-you Carolyn, Sandy, Rose Ann, Lynn, & Connie for jumping in to help keep the ball rolling! Special thanks to Lois for her beautiful works of art and the time and care she puts into every quilt she sews. I know I have not mentioned every person by name, and I apologize. I am overwhelmed. . . God is good! I am excited to be able to be a part of this project. I am humbled by the response. My heart aches for those who have lost a loved one in service to our country. May we never, ever forget that our freedom is not free!

Time flies...

There are no good excuses for my lapse in keeping this current. So much has happened since I last wrote.
June 27th marked the 2nd anniversary of Travis' death. Not a day goes by that his sacrifice is not remembered. Thank-you Travis, and the thousands like you, you gave it all...
Travis' sister Kelsey and his buddy, Luis Morales, were wed this past July in a beautiful outdoor ceremony at the family home. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Morales and may the Lord bless you with a long and happy life together!!
Travis' brother Kyle continues his training with the National Guard. God bless you Kyle and Samantha as you serve our country!
I am still in need of help to complete some unfinished quilts. I have not been able to make a delivery, because I do not want to go with just a few quilts, when I know a greater number are needed. I just received a donation on Saturday that will help tremendously! I will admit, I have been somewhat discouraged...in the beginning stages response was amazing, almost overwhelming at times. It has slowed down alot. I know times are tough for many, but the fact remains, daily our soldiers are working to protect us and the freedoms we hold dear. I cannot let this project die...no more then I can stop reminding people that our Freedom is NOT free!
Please, won't you prayerfully consider how you might help the Quilts of Honor - Travis Project before 2010 comes to a close...
Thank-you in advance and God bless you!

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...