Quilts of Honor give veterans 'Hugs of Gratitude'
CANTON TWP. − Retired Army Master Sgt. Carl "Eddie" Courtney recalls that when he returned to the United States from Vietnam in 1970, he was verbally and physically abused.
Because he never wants another veteran to feel unappreciated, Courtney recently started a local chapter of Quilts of Honor, a nationwide nonprofit that honors military veterans with custom-made quilts.
Once a month, the group meets and makes quilts at the North Industry United Methodist Church at 155 Faircrest St. SW.
"We like to call them 'Hugs of Gratitude,'" Courtney said. "Any pattern is OK as long as it's patriotic."
So far, more than 100 Honor Quilts have been given to Purple Heart recipients, those who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, exposure to Agent Orange, and veterans who served multiple combat tours.
Vietnam era veteran Gail Belmont, of Spring Valley, California, started Quilts of Valor in 2005 as a way to honor those who served.
"When the Gulf War started, she didn't want veterans to be treated like the Vietnam veterans were," Courtney said.
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Quilts of Honor branched off from that organization in 2010. Today, there are chapters in 13 states.
In addition to individuals, Quilts of Honor have been presented to military hospitals, Mount Vernon, the Library of Congress, former President George W. Bush, the Army's Chief of Staff, POWS, the Pentagon, Camp LeJeune, Honor Flights, and the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.
"We have a lot more requests than we can get done," said Courtney, who is a former chairman of the Quilts of Honor national board.
A native of West Virginia, Courtney grew up in North Industry, where he said he assisted his mother when she made quilts.
"I was always fascinated," he said.
He returned to North Industry six years ago after living in California for decades.
After the Army, Courtney got a job at Clorox, where he was reintroduced to the art of quilting when he and other employees made quilts for newborns with AIDS.
Upon returning to Stark County and his home church, Courtney bought himself a sewing machine, and organized the local Quilts of Honor chapter.
"Eddie has been a blessing to this church," said the Rev. Jeri Johnson. "This church is a natural fit for this to be here. We're the home church of Sharon Lane."
The only American woman killed during combat in Vietnam, the Aultman Hospital nurse died June 8, 1969, when a rocket struck the Army's 312th EVAC Hospital in Chu Lai. She was just 25.
Johnson, whose mother and father each served in World War II, said that four the last four years, North Industry UMC has honored its veterans on Veterans Day by decorating the altar with photos of members who served and with a "missing comrade" display.
"On Nov. 13, in addition to preaching, we will lift up our veterans," she said. "It's become a tradition."
The quilts are 100% cotton and machine made, Courtney said.
Each one takes three or four days to assemble. They range in sizes of 50-by-60 inches or 60-by-70 inches.
"Some of the more complex take two to three weeks," he said.
Volunteer Pam Cramer, who also serves as the church's organist, noted that she had four uncles who served in World War II.
"And they all came back," she said.
After she married, Cramer lived for several years at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where her son was born.
"We all have some connection," said Cramer, who grew up in Alliance.
For Courtney, making and designing quilts is a labor of love.
"I find it rewarding because I was one of those vets who came home in 1970 and was spat on and call names," he said. "No person, especially a veteran, should have that happen to them. I'm grateful to be doing this. It's almost like prayer."
More volunteers are needed. Contact Courtney at 234-458-0440 or msged@earthlink.net.
To learn more about the organization, visit www.quiltsofhonor.org
Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @cgoshayREP.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Quilts of Honor give veterans 'Hugs of Gratitude'
