If you have read my blog for even a week, you know that I have  a warm place in my heart for our veterans. I have been a volunteer with the Quilts of Valor Foundation for over a year now. However. this past week was the first time I have presented a quilt to one of our vets in person.

I am a librarian and the branch that I work at has security guards that work in the afternoons. One of our guards has come to be a friend. Mr. Houston Jackson served in Viet Nam when he was just 21 years old. He got to come home a bit early because his son was born while he was overseas. He is now retired but works as a security guard, not for the money, but to be out in the community, to interact with young people, to be a role model. And he is all that and more. He loves the Lord and it shows. He teaches Sunday school and is active in his church. On the days when he is not at the library, he works at one of the toughest high schools in the county. He volunteered for this position because he knows the kids need someone to teach them to respect themselves and others.

I felt a while back that I was to make a QOV for my friend Houston. This past Wednesday, I was able to present it to him in person.

Isn’t that a beautiful smile? He told me that in the 42 years since he left Viet Nam, he has never received anything for his service until I gave him this quilt. He was so appreciative and so shocked that anyone would do something like this for him.  So many of our vets were treated so poorly when they came home. It was such an honor to make and present a quilt to thank him for his service and to finally say to him, “Welcome Home.”

Here is a full picture of the quilt.

And that is why I do what I do. Until next time…