Fifteen Louisa County veterans received homemade quilts as part of the Quilts of Valor nationwide effort to honor local servicemen and women. The quilts, created by members of Common Threads of Louisa, were donated to the veterans Nov. 16 at the Louisa Arts Center.
At the end of the ceremony, Charlie Alvarez, commander of the American Legion Post 116 in Louisa, presented Farrell with an award for the members of Threads of Louisa, in appreciation of their work making and awarding Quilts of Valor.
Two of the veterans awarded quilts are brothers Wilson (right) and Harvey Perkins (above), who reside in Louisa. Wilson, age 91, joined the United States Marines in 1952 and served in the reserves. Harvey Perkins, age 85, followed in his brother’s footsteps, joining the Marines in 1955 and also serving in the reserves.
Fifteen Louisa County veterans received homemade quilts as part of the Quilts of Valor nationwide effort to honor local servicemen and women. The quilts, created by members of Common Threads of Louisa, were donated to the veterans Nov. 16 at the Louisa Arts Center.
Fifteen Louisa County veterans were honored for service to their country at an event hosted by the Louisa Arts Center on Nov. 16. The veterans each received the gift of a handmade quilt, sewn by members of Common Threads of Louisa.
Contributed Photo
The quilts are given as a symbol of comfort, said Marie Farrell, who presented the quilts to the honorees.
Farrell started Common Threads of Louisa in 2019, which works with the national group, Quilts of Valor.
“The goal of Quilts of Valor,” she said, “is to honor those in service, in harm’s way during crisis, as a gesture of gratitude. Because the cost of freedom is the dedication of men and women.”
Farrell told the story of how Catherine Roberts was inspired to start Quilts of Valor in 2003.
Two of the veterans awarded quilts are brothers Wilson (right) and Harvey Perkins (above), who reside in Louisa. Wilson, age 91, joined the United States Marines in 1952 and served in the reserves. Harvey Perkins, age 85, followed in his brother’s footsteps, joining the Marines in 1955 and also serving in the reserves.
Photos provided by Wilson and Harvey Perkins
“When her son came home from Iraq,” Farrell said, “she said he went in as a young boy and came back as a troubled young man.” Distraught at how to comfort him, Roberts made a quilt for her son and wrapped him in it.
“She thought, ‘Quilts give comfort,’ and determined that we need to do this for all our veterans who have seen conflict or are ready to step up to the plate for us,” Farrell said.
Roberts’ efforts have resulted in a volunteer organization of more than 10,000 in the United States. As of October, Quilts of Valor has awarded 326,000 quilts.
At one time Wilson Perkins delivered papers for the Central Virginian and his wife, Patricia, served as office manager.
Photos provided by Wilson and Harvey Perkins
“Our little group in Louisa—12 of us and me—decided we wanted to make quilts for every veteran in Louisa County,” Farrell told the audience of veterans and their families. “We started in 2019 and so far, we have given out more than 100 quilts to veterans.”
The quilts are given, she added, “to offer comfort, peace and healing and to remind you that you are forever in our hearts.”
At the end of the ceremony, Charlie Alvarez, commander of the American Legion Post 116 in Louisa, presented Farrell with an award for the members of Threads of Louisa, in appreciation of their work making and awarding Quilts of Valor.
Contributed Photo
At the end of the ceremony, Charlie Alvarez, commander of the American Legion Post 116 in Louisa, presented Farrell with an award for the members of Threads of Louisa, in appreciation of their work making and awarding Quilts of Valor.
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