Twenty veterans were awarded Quilts of Valor at the Florence County Veterans Affairs building on Tuesday. The Myrtle Beach Shore Birds were the local Quilts of Honor group who planned the ceremony.
“We think our veterans deserve to be thanked for their service. They go away. They are young, and they don’t know where they are going to go or what they are going to be asked to do,” said General Coordinator, Joan Wobbleton.
It was the first time the Shore Birds awarded quilts to veterans in Florence County.
Out of the twenty veterans, there was a 99-year-old World War II Vet and an 85-year-old Korean War Vet. Phylis Burgh was the Korean War vet, and she said receiving the quilt was an emotional experience.
“I felt like I needed to sit down and cry with all the others that have gotten one today,” Burgh said.
Burgh was one of four women to receive a quilt at the ceremony and the only Korean War Vet.
“I’ve never received a quilt and this being my first one, I feel like it’s an honor to be able to say, ‘this is mine,'” she added.
According to Wobbleton, Quilts of Valor are estimated to cost about $250 to $300 and can take up to eight months to sew. Volunteers from all across the country contribute to sewing the quilts.
A total of 215,798 quilts have been awarded to veterans since the organization started in 2003. To receive one, veterans can put in a request online.
People interested in making quilts for the organization can become a member by paying an annual fee and following the Quilt of Valor guidelines.
