press release:
Our wars are still going on, although we want them to stop – they haven’t stopped, and it won’t stop for quite a while. In Iraq the fighting and dying may be ending, but not in Afghanistan. This means more wounded are lying in battlefield hospitals, still others are waiting to be transported to hospitals stateside and still more are in hospitals here in Washington State, waiting for their wounds to heal so that they can return home. Regardless of our own personal stand on all this, we can do something.

But what can we do? American Hero Quilts, a Vashon born effort, is doing its best to give all those wounded soldiers something tangible, to ease their suffering and as a token of our appreciation. Recently the quilt project received a letter from a nurse who was herself wounded:

“I have no recall of the explosion in which I was injured. I also do not have any memory of being stabilized in the hospital in Afghanistan. My first memory was waking up hurt but warm and looking around to see a sea of red, white and blue quilts. (First I have to tell you that these quilts mean much more than I thought they would) I will treasure my quilt forever. Having spent so much time wrapped up in it, I can tell you that I think I know each and every one of you. I know the women who must have spent hours cutting up little squares to make this quilt. Every square is perfect. I know the women who picked out the perfect country colors to make this quilt so lovely to look at. I know the women who sewed all these squares together with each one matching perfectly. I know the women who sewed the eagle on top with such tiny little stitches -as well as the quilter, and the person who put the edges on to seal it. I know this quilt so well -because I have run my hands over it more times than I can count. I know all of you because you are all angels. I do not have an adequate way to express my gratitude to you. I am not articulate enough to express what it means to all of us or the lump I get in my throat when I think of how generous and giving you all are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

On November 12, Vashon will host a Silent Auction, at Vashon Island Books, 22100 Vashon Hwy SW (old VFW Hall), starting at 7 pm. Admission - $25. Advance tickets may be purchased at the Vashon Book Shop, or on line at www.americanheroquilts.com . This event will not only offer food, entertainment and a chance to see your friends and neighbors, it will also offer an opportunity to bid on a large variety of goods and services, offered at very reasonable prices.

Please come to the auction, or give all that you can - to help. While many, many volunteer hours and personal funds are spent to make the quilt program possible, money is needed to meet expenses for supplies and shipping. Sue Nebeker and her band of quilters cannot support all the need. They have shipped almost 10,000 quilts already and still more are needed (350 wounded soldiers are sent back from Afghanistan each month). Please help keep our wounded veterans warm, every contribution, large and small, helps.