Freedom Quilts comfort families

Family members of three fallen Iowa soldiers came together in the St. Columbkille parish hall in Varina, IA, on April 15, 2007. The parents of Casey and Justin Paul Byers, and Nathan Field received personalized, handmade quilts specifically created to honor these men. Connie Gruver fiancée of Nathan Field, and Hailey Byers, daughter of Casey Byers, also received quilts.

Betty Nielsen and members of the Freedom Quilters made the presentations to the family members. Other women also attended who have spent time sewing quilt blocks for this project, including four ladies from the Eagle Grove Quilting Guild.

Additional friends who came to the gathering were members of a 4-H Club in Pocahontas, IA. The club has been supportive of Freedom Quilts, having recently contributed proceeds to the project from a fundraiser they held.

The gathering began with a prayer from Fr. Thomas Hart, priest at St. Columbkille and Our Lady of Good Council Catholic Church in Fonda, IA.

Following introduction of the Freedom Quilters in attendance, Laurel Davis of Paullina, IA, read three letters that Nielsen received from mothers of fallen soldiers after their personalized quilts were delivered.

Then Nielsen, creator of Freedom Quilts, related the history of this project and spoke about how it has helped many families in their healing process. One such couple was on hand to personally speak about their Freedom Quilt. The couple, Betty and Wilmar Pollema, are previous Freedom Quilt recipients, and they shared what it meant to them to see their Freedom Quilt for the first time. They related how the quilt has helped them grieve for their son, Sgt. Bruce J. Pollema.

The event was very emotional for all who attended, especially when slide shows of the fallen soldiers were shown. The slide shows enabled everyone attending to get a glimpse into these soldiers’ lives. This time of sharing and remembering was also a time for shedding tears. Nielsen said the time together brought the group closer.

After the slide show of her two boys, Ann Byers received her quilt and spoke about the tremendous amount of caring support she has received from strangers. She also talked about how her quilt will be passed from generation to generation.

Following the presentations, family members gathered around a quilt in progress on a frame. Each family member then tied a knot or two in this quilt, which will be given to another grieving family. That family will know that people who truly understand their grief helped to finish their quilt.

Nielsen stated, “The quilts unite us with families who need us. On this particular day, the quilts brought out the love and hope needed by these families. Now they can curl up with their quilts and shed their tears, all the time knowing they are not alone. They will be able to feel the love.”

During this gathering all the families in attendance agreed how Freedom Quilts needs to continue so other families can benefit from the support and kindness. There are many families who have yet to receive their quilts of comfort.

“It’s all part of the healing process,” Nielsen explained. “Only someone who has lost a child can truly feel what another in the same situation is going through.”

Nielsen confirmed that the project will be ongoing for the foreseeable future. She said she is grateful to St. Columbkille finance council for allowing her continued use of the parish hall but stressed that Freedom Quilts needs a permanent home.

Then Nielsen explained a raffle that is currently in progress to raise money for this “permanent home.”

She said, “For each $25 donation, we will guarantee a chance to win a 75”x90” handmade patriotic quilt. A $50 donation will equal two chances, and so on. Funds generated through this raffle are earmarked for construction on the inside of the building that will house supplies and finished quilts, also supplies to continue the project as well as provide space for quilters from across the country who want to assist Freedom Quilts.”

The drawing for the patriotic quilt will be July 4.

If you would like to help...
Would you like to be part of Freedom Quilts and assist in the project to comfort the families of fallen soliders? If so, call Betty Nielsen at 1-712-288-5328 or write to:
Freedom Quilts Inc.
C/O Betty Nielsen
13637 550th Street
Fonda, IA 50540

To enter the raffle, visit online at www.freedomquilts.net

Reprinted from SQE Professional, June 2007