- April 23, 2024
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Veterans stood wrapped in their quilts of valor at the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
Veterans were wrapped in handmade quilts at the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
Lloyd Graves arrives before the ceremony for the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
The Patriot Guard riders stood at the entrance with flags and welcomed veterans, families, and those attending the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
The Patriot Guard Riders stood during the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
A row of 16 quilts of valor waiting to be awarded at the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
Quilter Yvonne Mungerson awards a quilt of valor to Dixie Saxe, Navy Nurse in Vietnam 1969-1972, at the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
Zach Smith, a Marine who went to Afghanistan, holds his handmade quilt of valor at the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
Army veteran Nick Henderson, Army is awarded his handmade quilt of valor at the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
Air Force veteran Cathy Wortham receives her handmade quilt of valor at the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
A veteran receives his quilt of valor on Saturday, March 30 at the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
Quilter Christine Fimble awards Royce Cam, Air Force veteran who served 1955-1967, his quilt of valor at the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
95-year-old Lloyd Graves, a WWII Army veteran from 1944-1948, received his quilt of valor at the 1st Annual QOV Golf Tournament. Graves brother was killed in WWII. Photo by Alyssa Warner
Quilter Donna Bell awards WWII veteran William Marcum, 91, his quilt of valor at the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
Tears are shed at the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
Greg Matthews, Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam from 1968-1972, is thankful for his healing quilt of valor at the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
A few veterans were honored to receive a standing ovation and round of applause from their peers, friends and family at the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
98-year-old Gordon Kelly, U.S. Coast Guard WWII veteran who patrolled the U.S. coastline taking capture German Soldiers, received his quilt of valor at the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa W
95-year-old Dominick Quaglieri, WWII Army veteran who served from 1942-1946, receive his quilt of valor at the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
WWII veteran William Marcum, 91, held his quilt of valor and posed for a photo at the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
Greg Matthews, Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam from 1968-1972, was wrapped in his quilt of valor at the first-annual QOV Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30. Photo by Alyssa Warner
HollyAnn Balmer, fifth-generation seamstress and owner of Seamstress HollyAnn, Terry Burtchell, FL QOV State Coordinator, and Amelia Balmer. Photo by Alyssa Warner
Veterans were wrapped in handmade quilts at the first-annual Quilts of Valor Golf Tournament on Saturday, March 30, hosted by Terry Burtchell.
To date, over 214,000 veterans have received a quilt of valor, and, there are currently 350 veterans that have been nominated in Florida to receive a quilt. Each quilt costs approximately $200 to complete.
Burtchell is the Florida QOV state coordinator and was recently selected by Congressman Michael Waltz as part of Women’s History Month and thanked for her service to veterans. She is a retired seamstress, mother of an Army soldier and has a quilting studio in her home where she handcrafts numerous quilts. Burtchell was also honored to represent Florida in the QOV 50 State Salute Book this year.
As the ceremony started at the Cypress Head Golf Course in Port Orange, Burtchell reminded those in attendance that the mission of QOV is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts of valor.
“That's our own way, as quilters, to say thank you for what you've done for us, your sacrifice, your valor, your service, to us," Burtchell said. "We want to say thank you. This is your day.”
Guest speaker, retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Ernest C. Audino, received a round of applause from the veterans and their families as he spoke. Audino also serves as the district director for Waltz.
“I'm proud of everyone in this room” said Audino, near the end of his speech.
As the sun beat down and the temperatures rose, Burtchell began awarding the quilts, cracking a joke about the warm weather.
"We really need one today, right?" she said, referring to the quilts. The veterans and family members laughed.
Burtchell thanked each veteran as they received a quilt.
Lloyd Graves, a 95-year-old World War II Army veteran from 1944-1948 received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Gordon Kelly, a 98-year-old WWII U.S. Coast Guard veteran, did as well. Kelly patrolled the U.S. coastline and captured German soldiers during the war.
Dominick Quaglieri, 95-year-old WWII Army veteran from 1942-1946, was also among those who received a standing ovation.
Quilters were then asked to wrap each veteran in their awarded quilt of valor for a group photo and families proceeded to help fold quilts and take their own photos as a remembrance of the day.
