QUILTS OF VALOR (QOV)

Received April 2025

Dear Arliss & Linda:  I would like to take this opportunity to thank ALL the ladies of The Village Quilters for their hard work and dedication in making such a beautiful quilt and memorable presentation. It meant more than you can imagine to be recognized with such a beautiful piece of art. Your talent and hard work are very much appreciated.  I think I speak especially for our Vietnam Veterans when I say it kind of serves as a welcome home for us as well.  Thank you SO much! Dennis M. (Loudon County Veterans Honor Guard)

How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it.  Thank you.  To the angels of the Quilt of Valor Group and Linda Arbuckle, Kathy Knight, Brenda Smith, and Arliss Barber.  I received my [Quilt of Valor] on April 12, 2025 at the Loudon County Honor Guard banquet.  Your efforts are gratefully appreciated.  It was a proud moment.  Thank you all so much for thinking of us Vets!  Morris H.

Dear Ms. Barber:  I want to personally express to you my appreciation for the Quilt of Valor I recently received through the VFW here in Tellico Village.  I have witnessed this presentation of a quilt to other very significant recipients since I moved to [the village].  I never conceived of ever receiving one myself.  I will cherish it and again thank you and all the Village Quilters.  Sincerely, William H.

Received Jan 2025 

Dear Village Quilters:  We wanted to thank you for the beautiful Quilt of Valor Tom received.  It was pieced by Linda Arbuckle with a center of mountains with eagles, stars & stripes; it was quilted by Brenda Smith with stars and stripes.  It was so beautifully done.  Thank you for your ministry.  Thanks again and may God richly bless you all. Tom & Peggy T.

Received Feb 2025

Dear Arliss, Mary Jo [Manis], Debra [Wardell] and the Village Quilters: Thank you so very much for the Quilt of Valor presentation.  The ceremony was so touching and personal that it left me speechless.  What I wanted to say but couldn't get past the tears was the presentation of the Quilt of Valor after so many years helps me neutralize a significant portion of the ill feelings and bad sentiment that was directed toward soldiers as we arrived back home after the Vietnam War.  From a military perspective, those years of the late 60's and early 70's were not good years to be associated with any part of the Armed Services.  It was doubly hard to maintain readiness in the units when there was very little, if any, support from our national leaders.  Making it worse was the lack of support for the war from the general public.  This Quilt of Valor recognition program is a great way to honor soldiers and does, or can, provide an avenue for soldiers to bring closure to some of the issues left open after the war.  I know it has for me and I'm sure many other recipients feel the same way.  The Quilt is so beautiful, both from a physical and patriotic perspective.  Just looking at the design of the Quilt, one has to realize that there had to be many hours spent just laying and cutting the quilt piece by piece followed by many hours of "quilting" those pieces together.  As each quilt begins to take shape, I'm sure everyone involved can feel the warmth, strength and love that go into its preparation.  Receiving a Quilt of Valor is such an honor and means so much to me and will always be a reminder to me that patriotism is not dead; we just have to look around to see growth in support of and positive sentiment toward the Armed Services and their members.  Also, it will always remind me that this quilt was made especially for me by wonderful people like you.  Sincerely, Jim H.

Received December 2024

Dear Arliss:  Thank you, JoAnn Bergren and Ginny Hatfield for presenting me with the Quilt of Valor.  It was very moving for me and my family.  

Keith R.

Received November 2024

(presented by Sandy Black & Dorcas Ladies at church) Thank you. These two words do not adequately express my feelings for the way in which you honored me, for my service in the military, by presenting me with a “Quilt of Valor”.  I am humbled by the fact that you have given your time and talents to honor, not only myself, but all the other veterans who have given their time and talents to protect and defend this country which we all hold so dear.  You all should be honored for the work you do in caring for those in our church and our community, who may be sick or hurting, and are in need of the ministry that you offer.  May God bless all of you as you continue through the years sharing your help and hope to those in need. I salute you.  Bob S.

Dear Village Quilters:  On October 30 you [Sandy Holt] presented me with a beautiful quilt.  I was overwhelmed by the love I felt when receiving the quilt.  The way people treat each other has made me sad and depressed for some time and I was shocked by your kindness.  I found it profoundly difficult to understand why you would go to such trouble for someone you don't know and have never even met. Thank you for the love and hope you have given me.  Tim R. [a Vietnam Vet]

Dear Quilters: I was humbled and honored to receive my Quilt of Valor at the November meeting of American Legion Post 256.  I want to thank you for your lovely work and the time you devote to the Quilts of Valor project.  Respectfully James McN.

Dear Quilters and Quilt Supporters,  Thank you for the lovely quilt pieced by Maggie Scott and quilted by Rose Remund!  Thank you, Sandy and Dennis Holt and Bill Gibbons for presenting the quilt.  Horace loves his quilt and has used it every day since receiving it. We tell everyone who visits us about the quilt and your mission of blessing veterans through your unique, creative and practical artistry!  May you all be rewarded far beyond your wildest imaginations!  God bless America!  May we never underestimate the freedoms we still enjoy or the price paid to secure and maintain them!  With loving appreciation and gratitude for your generosity and kindness, Horace and Carolyn K

Dear Quilters, I wanted to thank you for all your hard work as well as your commitment to Veterans to take your time to quilt these beautiful quilts.  Freddy and I had no idea what a big production this would be - I guess we just thought there would be a few quilts and a few people.  What a wonderful surprise that so many people came not only to see all the beautiful quilts but also to honor some of our Veterans.  It was a wonderful, emotional service and we will never forget.  Thanks to Kathy Knight and Denise Gault for piecing and putting together the beautiful quilt Freddy received.  Also, thank you to Sandy Holt and her husband for asking Freddy to be an honoree and for keeping us informed about all the details.  God Bless each of your quilters, not only for your hard work but also honoring those that have somewhat been overlooked.  Freddy and Judy N (a Quilt Show award recipient)

Received October 2024

Thanks for your kindness and thoughtfulness.  Hope you know how very much you're appreciated and what a difference you make".  The QOV Foundation is a wonderful thing.  It means so very much to the recipient of a Quilt of Valor. Thank you sincerely to The Village Quilters - you all put a lot of time and work into making these quilts.  We love Ken's quilt and again thank you so very much for all your efforts.  Sincerely, Ken & Edna S.

Received September 2024

We would like to thank each of you for the beautiful quilt, pillowcase and hard work put into making it.  Our team was proud to serve our great country and the freedom we can all enjoy.  We will proudly display the quilt in our home.  Thank you, Carl K & Family

Dear Village Quilters members: thank you so much for the amazing gesture on the occasion of my retirement for the Army.  Your thoughtfulness and attention to detail in the quilt truly touched me and I will proudly display the quilt in my home as a constant reminder of not only my service to the country but also your kindness and generosity!  Sincerely, Col. (ret) Aron S.

Received August 2024

Dear Arliss: We are still staring at this beautiful Quilt of Valor.  Gorgeous workmanship - every detail is perfect.  Thank you, and your "elves", for making this priceless quilt.  Such an honor to serve our country and be awarded a special gift.  Charles L.

"A note to thank you for your thoughtfulness and to let you know it really meant a lot".  Ladies, I would like to sincerely thank you for my lovely Quilt of Valor.  I am especially proud of Lori [McDonald] and Caryn [Sakaguchi] for their hard work on my quilt.  I will treasure it always.  Your truly, Ed N.

To the Village Quilters Quilts of Valor Group & especially Mary Hilyer & Rose Remund.  You have all honored me with such a beautiful piece of quilted art.  I will cherish this and so will my family.  If I were to have picked out the colors and pattern, the ones you chose were the ones I would have chosen.  For what you have done for me and my fellow Veterans is truly remarkable.  I sincerely thank you for all the hard work that was put into making my own special quilt.  THANK YOU, Nan Z.

Received July 2024

Mike [from SMSD] - it was my pleasure delivering another two puppies to SMSD.  There's always more in the works, and I really enjoy seeing you all. Please tell the folks who gave me this awesome quilt how much I love it, it's been my go-to while recovering from back surgery.  Also, due to surgery, breeding has been paused until either I'm recovered or Polar Bear gets sneaky! But if all goes well, late fall/early winter for the next batch.  Chuck Z.

Received June 2024

Dear Quilters - Thank you for the beautiful presentation of my quilt on June 19th!  It is on my bed and it gives me great comfort each night.  

Again, thank you.  Sincerely, Jon C.

Received April 2024

Miss Sandy [Stechmesser], I want to thank you again.  It took all I could do to hold back the liquid emotions.  And yes, the quilt is on my bed.  

Thanks, Richard C.

Received Mar 2024

Arliss Barber & The Village Quilters:

With a deep appreciation, I want to thank you for the beautiful quilt that was given to me for serving our country.  Thank you to Karen Forsyth and Brenda Smith plus all the others [Blockheads] that performed a “labor of love” in the making of this quilt.  All of you will be rewarded in many ways for your generous outpourings of love.  When I told my children of your giving of the quilt, all of them were very grateful for your thoughtfulness.  Once again, thank you and may God bless all of you as you continue your dedication.

Wayne S.

Received Feb 2024

Dear Village Quilters,

Thank you so very much for the wonderful Quilt of Valor.  When Arliss presented this to me at my retirement ceremony, I was overwhelmed with the gift.  I was so touched by this, I had to fight back the tears in front of my 185 Project Personnel who were attending the ceremony.  I am deeply touched and humbled by this quilt of Valor.  Thank you for all that you do to provide such wonderful gifts from your hearts and hands to our Veterans.  With much gratitude, Jim B.

Received Jan 2024

Jackie [Trombly], Thank you so much for the Quilt of Valor quilt you hand made.  I'm honored to have received it and I will always treasure it.  It's a great reminder to me that patriotism is alive and well in this complicated world we find ourselves.  

Again, thank you.  Bill P.

Dear Quilts of Valor Team:

I am beyond grateful for the incredible honor you bestowed upon me.  Your dedication and unwavering American Patriotism shine through in your efforts to recognize and honor Veterans like me.  Thank you for the special quilt; it holds a special place in my heart.  I offer a special thank you to Laura Lynch and Sharon Clayton and others [Blockheads] for crafting such a stunning quilt.  The presentation, with my wife in attendance, was a moment we will forever cherish.  May God bless your entire Quilts of Valor Team for the warmth and comfort you bring to Veterans.  Your generosity is a beacon of light that will forever be cherished.  With sincere appreciation, Robert R.

Arliss Barber & all The Village Quilters:

I received a Quilt of Valor on Nov 2, 2023 at Legion Post 256.  I will forever remember that day in which I was honored to receive a most beautiful quilt.  Other than my many military awards, I had never received any such gift or honor.  All of you touch my heart as never happened before.  Your treatment and love shown toward me will truly erase the mistreatment most of us Vietnam Vets experienced after coming back home from that terrible war.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Don A.

Received Oct 2023

Arliss, Denise Paquin, JoAnn Bergren:

Thank you so very much for the truly exceptional quilt you presented me on Oct 7 in Lenoir City.  I will prize this amazing work of art and the organization which you so well represent.  I am the envy of my neighbors who all have loved the true work of art you created.  Most of all, thank you for the work you do on behalf of our nation's heroes.  I wish each of you a happy holiday season and many, many thanks for the heirloom piece you have provided me.  Semper Fidelis; God bless you and all who support you.  Larry N. - LtGen USMC (ret)

Arliss Barber, Ginny Hatfield, Donna Waghorne, all in the Quilting Club:

Please accept my sincere appreciation for the beautiful “Quilt of Valor” I was presented by your foundation.  I was very proud to accept this thoughtful and compassionate gift for my years of service to our country.  Also, thank you to the hands that made this gorgeous quilt [JoAnn Bergren, Sharon Clayton] and to Donna Waghorne for her nomination letter.  I will forever treasure it as one of my favorite momentos of my military service.  Sincerely, Bruce B.