Jackie Hazen, a member of the Quilt of Valor Foundation and the Smethport Piecemakers Quilt Guild and Elaine Irons, President of the Guild, recognized two veterans with quilts.  In 2003, a quilter named Catherine Roberts started the movement that became Quilts of Valor when her son was delayed in Iraq.  It was literally a dream that Catherine had that showed a service member sitting by his cot with his head in his hands.  While she was dreaming she saw this soldier wrapped in a quilt with a smlle now on his face.  When she awoke she decided that any veteran that had been touched by war would benefit from a quilt.  Since that dream, quilts have been presented to 400,910 veterans touched by war.  

Thousands of quiters all over the United States work daily to create quilts to cover veterans.  A Quilt of Valor brings a three part message – first, quilters honor veterans for their service, their sacrifice and their valor.  They are thanked for the price paid on behaf of the American people; second, freedom is not free.  The quilts are meant to bring comfort and remind veterans they are forever in the quilters’ thoughts and prayers; thrid – a Quilt of Valor is not a charity quilt or just a  blanket, – it consists of three layers:  the top represents communities and al the individuals who have contibuted to it and are part of presenting the quilts; the middle layer of batting represents the warmth, comfort, peace and healing wished for the veteran; and finally, the backing is the strength that supports the other layers, as veterans are supported and loved by their friends, family, community and nation.  

The first of the two veterans honored was James Watson.  James is an Army veteran from 1972-1974 where he worked as an electrician.  

The second veteran recognized was Patrick Dotson who seved from 1966-1970. in the Air Force where he served as an administrator stateside while a brother served in Vietnam.  

The quilts are meant to comfort, heal and welcome home the veterans and to thank tham for their dedicated service to the country and the role they played in protecting our freedom.