Honoring service

M.J. Sepples, left, and Quilts of Valor regional coordinator Kate Meyers, right, help Roy Crawford, Sr., showcase the Quilt of Valor presented to him by the organization and Chilhowee Club.

Photo by Jolanda Jansma

Roy Crawford, Sr., a veteran of WWII and survivor of the battle at Heartbreak Ridge, accepts a quilt from the Quilts of Valor organization and the Chilhowee Club.

Photo by Jolanda Jansma

The dedication panel on the Quilt of Valor given to Roy Crawford, Sr., conveys the message of the organization to the honored veterans. Pat Ziobro of Village Quilters in Loudon headed the team that made this quilt.

Listening to the stories from Kate Meyers at the November Chilhowee Club meeting brought tears to the eyes of many of the members. And knowing they were participating in the organization Meyers represents also instilled a sense of pride.

Meyers is the regional coordinator for Quilts of Valor, an organization with the mission of honoring U.S. servicemen for their sacrifice and service. The mission is “to cover all those service members and veterans touched by war with Wartime Quilts called Quilts of Valor.”

Working through local and regional quilters and quilting clubs, the foundation identifies those who have served and presents them with special quilts honoring their acts. When Chilhowee Club member and general meeting chairperson Marge Bogert, a quilter, learned of the group, she suggested the club honor one of its own.

Dottie Crawford is the wife of Roy Crawford, Sr., a well-known Blount County attorney, a World War II veteran who served in both the European and Pacific theaters and a survivor of the Korean War Battle of Heartbreak Ridge. Honoring Roy with a Quilt of Valor seemed to be a perfect November meeting for the club.

“We wanted to honor someone who was a war veteran and also had ties with Chilhowee Club,” said club member Ann Meyers. “Dottie and Roy represent both the club and the military, so it was a perfect match.”

Roy was humble in his acceptance, and expressed his wish that the quilt reach beyond his own home. “He said he and Dottie were going to enjoy the quilt for awhile and then donate it to one of the local historical museums so others could enjoy it as well,” said Meyers.