Threads of Gratitude: A Quilts of Valor Celebration

In a heartfelt tribute to veterans in the community, Ohio University Southern is set to host its annual veterans recognition event. Dr. Teresa McKenzie, coordinator of Veterans Services at Ohio University Southern , shared the details of this year's program, which is dedicated to recognizing and honoring local veterans.

The event has been a longstanding tradition at Ohio University Southern, celebrating veterans and their contributions to the nation.

"Each year OHIO Southern always does something to celebrate veterans. Every year I've been here there's been a program, or some event virtually during COVID," said McKenzie.

Traditionally, the University creates a military and veterans tribute wall in the Bowman lobby, where students, faculty, staff and the community at large can submit pictures of their veteran family members. These photos serve as a poignant reminder of the military family associated with the University.

This year, the event theme is " Threads of Gratitude: A Quilts of Valor Celebration. " Instead of the traditional keynote speaker, a mini-documentary has been prepared by McKenzie and Electronic Media Production Assistant Ernie Hall. This documentary follows Dr. Martha Evans, Dr. Mikki Crawford and Dr. Kim Keffer, who are members of a quilting guild known as Material Hugs. This documentary will focus on Quilts of Valor, its history, and the heartfelt stories behind it.

The celebration will honor around 10 local veterans from various backgrounds, representing different wars and campaigns. Each veteran will receive a quilt lovingly crafted by Material Hugs members. These quilts, according to Dr. McKenzie, are meant to "hug" the veterans and provide them with a tangible symbol of gratitude. Each quilt will come with a statement listing the veteran's name, the date it was donated, and other meaningful details.

The process of selecting veterans for this honor is inclusive. Dr. McKenzie explained, "Family members can ask to nominate them. Veterans can say, 'I'd like a quilt.' You can only get one quilt in a lifetime. Veterans who are deceased, their family members can't ask for a quilt because it goes to living veterans.”

While the primary focus is on veterans from World War I, World War II, Vietnam and Korea, Material Hugs aims to recognize all veterans. Dr. McKenzie mentioned that they limit this particular program to about 10 veterans to keep it concise, followed by a reception where attendees can personally thank and acknowledge the veterans for their service.

For those who want to get involved by helping with the quilts or nominating a veteran, the process is straightforward. Dr. McKenzie advised, "They want to reach out to the Quilts of Valor, there's a website, and they can go onto the website and nominate their veteran and nominate themselves on the website."

The event will take place at the Ohio University Southern on Nov. 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a reception to follow. Importantly, the event is open to the public, not limited to Ohio University staff and students, welcoming anyone interested in celebrating these deserving veterans.

Dr. McKenzie also encouraged local quilters to get involved, saying, "They should reach out to Dr. Keffer, or if they reach out to me, I can connect them. But they are always looking for quilters who want to join and help out. The three of them do most of it, and they make these quilts – and they have machines that I'm in awe of and I'm scared of at the same time,” she said with a laugh. “They do this and they work hard at it, and they do it out of love. There's no monetary gain for them. This is a labor of love for them. This is giving back."

The "Threads of Gratitude: A Quilts of Valor Celebration" promises to be a heartwarming event that not only pays tribute to local veterans but also unites the community in a shared spirit of appreciation and gratitude.