Five Local Veterans Presented Quilts of Valor

Five local veterans were honored during a Quilt of Valor ceremony held by the Flying Needles Quilt Guild (FNQG) at the Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin Air Force Base, on May 11.

Five handmade quilts made by members of FNQC were presented as their heartfelt thanks to the five nominated veterans as thanks for their service, sacrifice, and valor while serving our nation. The special ceremony was witnessed by family and friends of the honorees along with representatives of FNQG and the Quilts of Valor Foundation. The five awardees and the names of the quilt given them are as follows:

• Christopher Allen (US Air Force) of Pensacola was presented with “No Where to Go.”
• Joseph Gillis (US Air Force) of Navarre was presented with “Eagle Pride.”
• Jodie Lemons (US Army) of Navarre was presented with “Lines of Freedom.”
• Richard Valarezo (US Air Force) of Pace was presented with “Remembrance.”
• Randy Varner (US Army) of Freeport was presented with “Stars n Stripes.”

During the special ceremony, Barbi Ouellette, FNQG Group Lead and Guild coordinator for the Quilt of Valor project, said, “Valor comes from the very best in the human heart. It comes from generosity of the soul. From nobility of spirit, from the love of community and country…the call to enlist asks them to take a big risk—to step into the unknown, to go wherever they’re told, follow new rules, take a chance that they may never have that future or any future at all. To sign a blank check pledging to their country to give whatever is asked, up to and including, their life. To take that risk for love of country and community is Valor. That is what we celebrate and honor with a Quilt of Valor.”

More details about the QOV ceremony and those who made the Quilts of Valor may be found at Emerald Coast Connected.