Quilts of Valor Awarded to Six Emerald Coast Veterans

The Flying Needles Quilt Guild (FNQG) awarded six local veterans with special Quilts of Valor (QOV) on June 11 at the Air Force Armament Museum. The special event honored the veterans for their military service and sacrifice.

Master of Ceremonies Barbi Ouellette, FNQG Group Lead and Guild QOV coordinator, said, “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.”

Quilts of Valor Honorees were:

• Paul Cloud (WWII, U.S. Army)
• Joshua Gilbert (U.S. Air Force)
• Horacio Lacayo (U.S. Army)
• Eric Raus (U.S. Navy)
• Felix Temples, III (U.S. Army/Air Force)
• Bobby Welch (U.S. Army/Air Force)

Paul Cloud was also celebrating his 105th birthday during the QOV ceremony. He was also lauded as an Unsung Hero by the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners in a 2019 resolution proclaiming his 100th birthday as Paul Vincent Cloud Day in recognition of his service with the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division in World War II.

During the “wrapping” component of the celebration, each veteran was wrapped by one of the attending quilters followed by a hug symbolic of the care and love each quilt represents.

Eric Raus’ family were thankful for this honor for him. His daughter Hannah Raus said, “Our family is so proud of my dad’s time in the Navy. Unfortunately, he has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at the young age of 56. His experience serving his country is one of his favorite topics of conversation. He feels deeply honored to receive one of the beautiful quilts. Our family will cherish this quilt and this memory for years to come. Thank you so very much.”

The QOVF originated in 2003 and is a national grassroots community-service effort to connect the home front with military warriors and veterans with a mission is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts. More information about QOVF or to nominate a veteran to receive a quilt may be found at their website.

A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, FNQG began supporting the OOVF program in 2008 and has presented over 1,000 quilts to veteran heroes.