DESERT STORM

DESERT STORM: This quilt was the brain child of a group of us that got together to quilt at Loring AFB, ME. Some of the women had guys over there, and it was just a great project to keep us busy and thinking positive. Each of us did a part - I did all the machine applique of the stars and eagle. The finished size is approx. 40" x 55". Cotton fabrics. The pictures are of us presenting the quilt on April 12, 1991 to the base commander at a ceremony for the first returning soldiers to the base. We are in an airplane hanger on the flightline. The stipulation of giving the base commander the quilt was that when the base closed in 1993-94, the quilt would be given to the local library (since this area was so wonderfully supportive of the base all the years it was in use). On 9/17/12, CL and I were up sewing with SB and decided to make a drive over to the Limestone library to actually see the quilt. We ask the first library employee who approached us and she knew exactly where it was. It is faded from hanging in a sunny spot for 20+ years, but brought back wonderful memories for CL and myself. Many thanks to the library for taking care of it. Top photo: SB, SS, CB, base commander, 2 honor guards, RH, myself, and CL. The second photo: RH, CL, and myself. The bottom photo was taken on 9/17/12 at Limestone.

On a personal level, this project was the basis for my making quilts for the wounded soldiers in coming years. There is something about a quilt that touches lives on a very personal basis because it says "home" and "safety".