Wrapped in their star-spangled quilts, three Fulton World War II veterans will now be just a little bit warmer.
The Daughters of the American Revolution, Charity Stille Langstaf Chapter, awarded their first three Quilts of Valor on Monday morning to veterans at Fulton Presbyterian Manor.
"DAR members Marjorie Lubbers and Helen Weber made these quilts after they went to a presentation to learn about Quilts of Valor," Chapter Historian Barb Huddleston said. "Quilts of Valor was started in 2003, after founder Catherine Roberts had a dream. She said she saw a solider hunched over near his bed. Then, a quilt was wrapped around them, and they began to heal."
Huddleston said Quilts of Valor are not just your run-of-the-mill blanket.
"Roberts knew that the quilts needed to be quality," she said. "They needed to be quilted, not tied. They are also awarded, not just passed out. These quilts say 'thank you for your service, for your sacrifice.'"
Veterans Chris Binggeli, 98, Joe Carrington, 98, and Woodrow Boulware, 99, all received unique, red white and blue quilts. Each quilt also included information about the quilter and the veteran stitched into the back.
"I don't know what to say," Boulware said. "This was all a surprise for me. Obviously it was a lot of work; thank you."
"Thank you very much," Binggeli said.
"Thank you, ladies, for the quilt," Carrington said.
General Counsel for the Missouri Veterans Commission Kevin Hall had a few words for both the quilters and the veterans.
"We heard about this event, and thought it was really neat it was taking place," Hall said. "On behalf of the commission, I want to thank each and everyone of you. Thanks you, very much."