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Source: Lori Johnson
May 10, 2024, 3:41 PM CST
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (WFHR, WIRI) – The Material Girls Quilting Club have participated with Quilts of Valor since 2016. That first year, they awarded 36 quilts. Over the last eight years, they’ve worked together with the American Heroes Café to create and award 291 quilts for this special ceremony. The event taking place on May 25th will be the first of its kind in Wisconsin, and possibly the first in the nation. Each of the 47 unique quilts will be awarded to female veterans.
William “Bill” Haack, USN (ret) founded the American Heroes Café of Central Wisconsin shortly after moving to Wisconsin Rapids in 2014. He worked with community members to find sponsors and suppliers. They held the Grand Opening of the Heroes Café on September 23rd, 2015. Since then, they’ve held a Heroes Cafe twice a month. This breakfast is currently served at Crossview Church in Wisconsin Rapids on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 7:30 AM. It’s open to military, active and retired, police officers, firefighters, etc.
The Material Girls have created and awarded almost 300 quilts. As Bill looked through, he realized that less than 10-percent of the quilts had been awarded to female veterans. He said 18-percent of the military is female, so they were way behind where they needed to be.
Some members of the quilting club shared what they’ve heard from past female recipients. Lori shared that a veteran told her she didn’t deserve one because she was just an Army Nurse. Lori countered that everyone who has served deserves a quilt. Kathy said anyone who supports the military plays an integral role in the success of the mission.
The festivities on Saturday, May 25th will begin at 1:30 PM. The Quilts of Valor Ceremony will be held at the East Jr. High School Fieldhouse. It’s located at 311 Lincoln Street in Wisconsin Rapids. Lincoln High School band members will play patriotic songs followed by music selections by the Aspiring Acapellas. The presentation will begin at 2 PM with the posting of the colors. Following the Invocation, the National Anthem will be sung by the Aspiring Acapellas. The main event will be historic in that forty-seven female veterans will receive their recognition for the time spent in uniform in defense of our country. These ladies will join the ranks of the previous female recipients and experience the honor that goes with the awarding of a Quilt of Valor. Several other female veteran recipients from previous ceremonies will also be in attendance as well as local dignitaries.
The woman who created the Quilts of Valor Foundation was inspired by a dream. Catherine Roberts dreamt of a young man sitting on his bedside in utter despair. Then she saw him wrapped in a quilt and his attitude changed to one of hope and well-being. She interpreted the dream to mean the quilt equaled healing. She began the Quilts of Valor Foundation with volunteers donating their time and materials to make the quilts. They awarded the first Quilt of Valor in 2003.
If you’re interested in joining the Material Girls Quilting Club, you can find them on Facebook. They meet the first Thursday of every month at the First Congregational Church of Wisconsin Rapids at 6 PM. Everything they do for the Quilts of Valor must be donated. If you aren’t interested in sewing, but would like to donate, you can contact them for details on how you can get involved.
