QUILTS OF VALOR (QOV)

Quilts of Valor (QOV) Foundation was started in 2003, after the founder saw how a simple quilt transformed a young soldier’s despair into glee. 

QOV’s objective is to bestow upon any Veteran, “touched by war,” a measure of comfort by demonstrating appreciation for their service and sacrifices, presenting a hand-made quilt and thereby showing sincere love and understanding of their experiences. The award is not predicated upon “deserving,” but based solely upon “need.” As of March, 2020, over 245,000 quilts have been awarded, across the nation, to Veterans and service members touched in some way by war. QOV chapters are operating in Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help established its local chapter in 2010 by Barbara Steers and Helen Stensrud (deceased), and immediately began sewing quilts for Parish Veterans. To date, the OLPH chapter has presented over 1,000 quilts throughout the community. Each recipient is recommended through the National QOV Foundation website which forwards the request to the OLPH group.

Members of the Military Ministry, dressed in their Ministry, GOLD shirt, assists in presentations when requested, which adds a great impact as the member escorts the recipient to the front of church and helps drape the quilt over the recipient.  

Each Veterans-recipient has a unique story of service to our great nation, yet each is humbled to not only be recognized but, more importantly, be remembered. The OLPH group schedules presentations of quilts to take place over national holidays (July 4, Memorial Day, and Veteran’s Day), when up to six Masses each weekend are opportunities for quilt presentations. Typically, only one quilt is presented per Mass. The presentation of three (3) quilts to members of a single family, this past November 7, 2020, is a “once-in-a-lifetime“ opportunity and exceedingly unusual. 

The presentations to the Moreau family members is a magical story, in-and-of- itself. Roger, the father, immigrated from Haiti in the late 60’s to attend school in the US. While in college he was drafted into the Army but granted a delay in basic training to finish a two-year college program. He entered the military as a private in 1970. After two years he was accepted into the Officer Candidate Program and commissioned as an Armored/Tank Officer. He, and his wife, Marie, married 50 years, served throughout the United States and overseas during a 20 year military career. They have two children, Roger Junior and Rachel.

Roger Junior and his wife, Jessica, are both military children who followed their parents into military service. And their son, Michael, served in the US Air Force. Roger Junior served in the Army for more than five years and Jessica is a retired Air Force Sergeant having served more than 20 years. Roger Junior and Jessica met in San Antonio and have been members of OLPH for two years. 

The quilts presented to the three Moreau family members at the same event.  Two quilts made to honor her family were made by Marie Moreau, Roger’s wife, presented to Roger Junior and Jessica. The group made the quilt presented to the father. Marie could not attend the event because she is suffering with lung cancer and avoids large gatherings.  

Military Ministry member, Jack Steers, participated in the presentation by escorting the Moreau’s, reading the citation, and draping the quilts over the shoulders of each family member. It was a touching and impacting ceremony.

The Nation thanks the Moreau family for their service… OLPH welcomes them.