News for 2006
Senator Harkin Visits Varina

Freedom Quilts made three trips in 2006. The first trip I was invited to Wal-Mart headquarters in Arkansas by Lenora Babb to help judge the quilt block contest. It wasn't a very easy job with so many beautiful quilt blocks and so little time to judge them all. Wal-Mart was kind enough to give us some of the quilt blocks so we could use them to make quilts for families that mourn their loved ones. For those of you that made a quilt block for Wal-Mart contest some of your quilt blocks end up on a quilt made to honor a fallen soldier's. My next trip was to Denver where I went to support the family of Navy Seal Danny Dietz. I felt so overwhelmed by the strength each family member showed me yet I also witness the pain the family was going through. I felt proud and honor to be with such a wonderful family. They open their home and hearts to me and treated me like family. I wanted to be strong for them and I must tell you it took all that I had to keep it in check. I wonder many of times how do they do it - how do they get out of bed and carry on? None of us could ever imagine the pain these families go through or the courage that keeps them going. I was truly honored to be with them and be a part of the services they had for their loving son. My last trip was to New York City for the anniversary of 9/11. I was invited again to come and help support them. I came with quilts to give to those that still had not yet received. I had no idea the honors I was to receive while I was there. On the 9th of September I was presented with an urn with sacred soil from the World Trade Center. This soil is only given to family members who lost someone in the Twin Towers so you can imagine what an honor this was to our group and me. They wanted to show their appreciation to Freedom Quilts for all we do and continue to do to honor their loved ones. They know that at least this group will always keep them in our hearts and prayers and will never forget their pain that day. The honors didn't stop there for it continued on September 11. My daughter and I had the honor to be invited to join the families inside Ground Zero to help pay our respects with the families and also lay our roses down in the two reflecting pools. We paid our respects for all the victims and families that were there and also for those that couldn't be there. That day they gave me the honor to be with them not looking from the out side but right there with them. My heart ached with pain as I watched the faces of the families but I knew that if we all stood by them some how they would be able to continue. Freedom Quilts message was loud and clear to the families that we have not forgotten them. Reaching out to families and letting them know they are not alone means so much. We gave out quilts after we got back from Ground Zero and also at the luncheon Voices of September 11th had for the families. We were honored again with an award for all the kindness that Freedom Quilts has given the families. I visited with so many of the families and had seen a change in them. They were smiling more and expressed how much these quilts meant to them. You may not hear from them but you have no idea the impact that these quilts give the families. Many times I wonder if I can continue to carry on this project. I soon realize that yes we truly are making a difference.
This year we have given out 576 quilts thanks to the many that gave donation to keep the project going. I hope to give out as much if not more but I need help to continue so for your New Years resolution keep Freedom Quilts in mind and give a donation so we can continue to make and give out quilts. Over five years and 5,600 quilts have been given to families that lost a love one from 9/11 or a fallen soldier. We will continue so please help keep us going by giving a donation to make it possible. We continue to make quilts for our fallen soldiers and hopefully one by one we will make sure they receive a quilt. If you know of a parent or spouse that still has not received a quilt, have them contact us so we can make sure they receive a quilt. God bless and thanks for caring and making a difference. Betty