Soldiers receive quilted hugs

Nevada Herald

Ann Jones read the words in front of her and tears filled her eyes. The words were in the form of dozens of thank-you notes, sent from soldiers in Iraq -- the recipients of the quilts constructed for them through the Quilted Hugs project Jones helped to organize.

Later she said she'd just wanted to share them, so she picked up the phone and made a call.

"If we could just share some of these -- why should just a few of us be able to read these. It's so moving. Most of them are short. Some of them are funny but some of them really got to me." she said of the letters.

So, the stack of letters made its way to the Daily Mail and Herald. There were far too many to print, but most communicated similar messages. Here are a few of the letters:

The quilt means many people are thinking of me and that they care about us.

Thanks,

SPC Harley Collier

My name is SSG Suzanne Shoulta.

When I received my blanket, I was very excited and amazed on how much work had gone into it. Quilts have always been something amazing to me because of the amount of work involved. This quilt means even more because it was made for me. I will always cherish it and I am very grateful, thank you very much.

Warmly,

Suzanne Shoulta

You all are very special people for doing this nice deed.

SPC Hollingsworth

The quilt you all made for me gives me a great sense of pride. To be from an area where the people support the troops and care about us.

The talent and time it took to make each one of us these nice quilts is remarkable. It makes us feel good to serve when we are cared about and loved back home. We will cherish them and we thank you so much.

Sgt. Bowyer

Dear Ladies,

Thank you very much for the quilt you made for me. It has come in very useful at nights since my roommate turns the AC up and tries to freeze me out.

Thank you once again,

SGT Robert McCormack

I would like to thank all of the ladies that spent their time making these quilts. The amount of time and effort and teamwork involved in this endeavor is astonishing. I can't believe that there has ever been a unit as blessed as ours with the amount of love and support we have been given since we were mobilized for this war. My Soldiers truly enjoyed getting their own quilt and looked forward with anticipation in comparing it with their fellow Soldiers. Some have packaged them back up in fear of damaging them while some are currently using them at night. Regardless, each will be treasured in some way or another years after we have gotten back home. I would like to personally thank my aunts Zelma Hooper and Brenda Miller for personally helping contribute their time on mine and my son's, Austin Parks, quilts. It brings that little piece of home and family to a Soldier posted a long way from home.

My Sincerest Regards

First Sgt. David Parks

Thanks so much for the quilt. I can't believe the amount of hard work and effort it took to make all of this happen. Back when the project started I wondered if that many quilts could be made in that amount of time. Now here I am in Iraq with a beautiful quilt covering my bed. It's a constant reminder of how much some people care for us and what we are doing.

I have to admit I had my quilt on my bed for a few days before I discovered the intricate work and detail that went into this quilt. I thank everyone who had a part in making my quilt and the quilts for all of my soldiers. I know the quilts are getting used on a daily basis and the soldiers are excited to have them.

It's truly an amazing thing how you supported the members of Company A, 735th, from the time we were mobilized until we got here in Iraq. I look forward to seeing you when we return home. Thank you so much for caring.

Craig A. Swank

Thanks for the quilt, it means more than you know that people care enough to take the time out of their life the make something so precious and memorable as the quilt.

It means a great deal to a soldier to know that the people back home realize the struggles we go through as soldiers, and to be recognized by you with such a gracious gift, well there isn't even a good way to put it into words. Thank you so much for your support of Company A 735th MSB and all the soldiers that make this unit up.

Sincerely

SFC Kenny Carder

Sometimes I just do not catch on as fast as others do about things. Of course, some got a heads up that the quilts were coming, but to me it was a surprise. I thought it was the nice to get one. After receiving the article in the mail I understood because of the time and effort, it took not only to make the quilt, but the whole company one. This is a whole community pulling for us.

Thank you,

Sgt. Michael Mercado

I want to thank you all for making my quilt. I love it. I like how they are made and I know it takes a lot of patience to make one, let alone over 100 of them. Thanks for all you have done. God bless and remember to always smile.

PFC Stephanie Cox

I would like to express my deepest thanks to all the people involved in the making the beautiful quilts that we the soldiers of Co A 735th received from you. It's hard to express the full gratitude that I feel; the quality of workmanship is impeccable. We hear so very often, of how proud everyone is of us and the things we're doing for our country, but it is truly the folks back home just like yourselves that should be the ones that hold their heads up high with real American pride.

My grandmother, mother, and wife have all made quilts before so I have an idea of the considerable time and effort that you all have taken to ensure that our soldiers all received a quilt, that's why as I said earlier it's hard to come up with the right words to express our thanks.

Some of our soldiers don't receive as much mail or packages as some of the others do, so it is nice to see all of them get something in the mail.

When I received your quilt I couldn't decide to use it or send it back home so I could make sure it stayed in good condition, I've kept it and use it every night.

Every time I use it I have one thing that come to mind, you gave me a gift to keep me warm and a away to remember home, but more importantly you've given me a family heirloom.

I plan to give this quilt to my son when I return home and this way we have another way of remembering the patriotic duty that all my fellow soldiers and I have done for our country.

With that please accept my deepest thanks; we all appreciate the gift that you have given to us.

SFC Douglas Bax

My blanket is very special to me and I will cherish it for many years to come. Thank you for all the hard work that was involved in getting this very special gift to me. It is like a small piece of home in a distant foreign land. Thank you very much!!!

SPC Runge

I love my blanket and will get a lot of use from it.

SPC Clark

Specialist Clark received the quilt signed by employees of the Nevada Daily Mail.

Thank you for the thoughtfulness and hard work you put into making our quilts. They bring a sense of being at home into our lives and make us remember how many people are supporting us.

Thank you for you time and dedication,

SPC Keilah Forgey

Specialist Forgey received the quilt signed by the employees of Vernon County.

I would like to thank for the quilts. They helped raised the spirits of my troops and me. We appreciate all the time and effort you put in them.

Thanks,

Sgt. Gates

There were many, many others and each touched the hearts of all those involved in the Quilted Hugs project, Jones said.

"We weren't expecting this. This is just wonderful," Jones said.