MONTPELIER — Sheryl Bomsta of the Bear River Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is set to present a handmade quilt to a local veteran later this month in honor of his service.
Bomsta said the Quilt of Valor Foundation was founded back in 2003. It is comprised of quilters from across the United States. They make quilts for people serving in the military.
"Their mission is to honor service members and veterans with handmade quilts of valor," she said.
During each presentation, the recipient of the quilt is a three part message. The first part of the message is to thank them for their service in whatever branch of the military they served in.
"The second part is our quilters know that freedom is not free and this is to thank (them) for (their) service," Bomsta said.
The third part of the message is that the quilt will bring the recipient warmth and comfort. It reminds them that the people who made the quilt are mindful of them.
"(They) are in our thoughts and hearts," Bomsta said.
Bomsta first heard of the Quilt of Valor Foundation after she joined the Daughters of the American Revolution in 2020. She was immediately interested because her father, husband, brother and son all served in the military.
"That's where I got started," she said. "Sewing is my passion."
Since she became involved with Quilt of Valor, Bomsta has made four quilts in the last three years. She has presented quilts to veterans living locally, and she has presented one as far away as California.
"The joy on their face when they receive it makes it all worthwhile," she said.
The last veteran Bomsta presented a quilt to was someone who has been having health challenges since the 1990s due to his service in the military.
"It's pretty amazing that he's still with us," she said.
Another program that Bomsta became involved with after joining the Daughters of the American Revolution is the Wreaths Across America. This program places wreaths on veteran's headstones in December.
"That's a neat program as well," she said.
For the presentation on Sept. 16, Bomsta will be presenting a quilt to a local veteran named Tony Pinson. More information about his service will be made available at the event.
The event will be held at the Montpelier Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, 117 S. 10th St.
"It will be at the VFW at 3 p.m." she said.
Bomsta said her favorite part about making the quilts is that it gives her something worthwhile to do with her sewing. She loves to see the joy on the recipient's faces when they get her quilt.
"They are so grateful and it's good to know that they are appreciated by others," she said.
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