Local Quilts of Valor representative Amy Martin has certainly been busy, recently awarding the prestigious handmade quilts to dozens of local service veterans. She said while the pandemic certainly delayed some of the award events, it couldn't put a damper on the spirit of each event.

The national QOV program, of which Martin is a part, was first made possible by an Iraq veteran's mother several years ago. To date, over 200,000 Quilts of Valor have been awarded nationally by the program started by Catherine Roberts.

The Unionville native, who assists in much in the designing of the local quilts, said recently how she was very careful, especially with the older veterans and those who've been sick, to social distance during her ceremonies. Though from the front porch, she said Korean War veteran Roy Campbell Sr., really enjoyed getting his quilt.

Two other Korean War veterans recently receiving their quilts were: Aubrey Ellis, U.S. Army 1953 to 1955 and Reserves from 1955 to 1961 and Carrie Ivan Bernd who served from 1951 to 1953.

Martin said many of the war veterans have been photographed sleeping with the quilts covering them. "That is what makes this project worthwhile."

While having the quilts made is always an honor, she said getting to personally wrap each veteran makes each event extra special. Martin advises how this recent class of recipients filled her heart with testimonies and experiences that she just had to share with readers.

The first was about how American Legion Post 23 Commander Tim Estes recently traveled to Americus, Ga., to present his U.S. Army buddy, Stephon Milledge Sr., his patriotic quilt. Milledge served his country from 1983 to 1989 and Estes from 1983 to 2005.

Martin said she made this long distance presentation via FaceTime. She was pleased that Estes finally accepted a quilt, noting how he generally passes, in order to give the honor to other veterans of service. Martin generally has a waiting list of recipients.

An interesting fact about two other military buddies, she says, is that they served in the U.S. Air Force together from 1962 to 1966, and later became brothers-in-law. Martin said the recent QOV presentation for John D. Reedy and Robert McAnally was a special one.

Two churches have recently presented QOVs to its veterans, Howard Pinkston and Chad Odeneal. Pinkston, who served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968, in Vietnam, was honored at Calvary Baptist on his birthday. Odeneal, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1991 to 1995, received his quilt at Edgmont Baptist, after giving his testimony about his 2020 recovery from COVID-19.

"I awarded his WWII granddad last year with QOV and had put Chad on my to-do list," said Martin. "When he contracted COVID, and almost died, I feared I would not be able to award him. What a testimony he has!"

Martin said of course it is always very meaningful to be able to present the handmade patriotic quilts to Korean War veterans. Recipients recently were: Aubrey Ellis, U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 and Reserves through 1961; Carrie Ivan Bernd, U.S. Army, 1951 to 1953; and Roy Campbell Sr., who served from 1950 to 1954 in the U.S. Army.

Chris Cooper of Murfreesboro conducted his recent quilt presentation at the home of his parents, William and Ann Cooper of Unionville. Cooper served in the U.S. Navy Reserves from 1988 to 1996. Also receiving a QOV at the William Cooper home was their nephew, Stephen L. Adcock, U.S. Marines 1969 to 1973, and their brother-in-law, Charles Bowlby, Jr., U.S. Navy, 1957 to 1961.

This group of presentations was made extra special, Martin said, because it included a husband and wife team of veterans, Jason William Piccirilli, U.S. Army 1999 to 2019, and wife, Wendy Michelle Piccirilli, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1993 to 2000. The couple were wrapped in their patrotic quilts at the home of her mother, Peggy Webb, of Wartrace.

Another husband and wife team receiving a quilt was Johnny D. and Vonda Cawthron. While Johnny was the one who served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1968 through 1972, Martin said Vonda became a special part of his military service honor when she presented her husband with her own handmade, patriotic gift.

Martin said veteran Johnny Ferrell made her day when he posed for his photo with his quilt in front of the lyrics to Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A." Ferrell served from 1966-1968 in Vietnam with the U.S. Army.