The Quilts of Valor (QOV) Foundation hosted its annual See & Sew event Sept. 10 and 11 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 91 in Tacoma. The event was intended to showcase the work the group does, as well as possibly recruit some new members.

QOV, which was founded in 2003, has chapters nationwide devoted to crafting quilts that honor and comfort military veterans. Since it began, members have presented 45,376 quilts to veterans who are both out of the service and still on active duty.

Sheryl Anderson, chairperson for the local QOV chapter, has been involved with the group for the past seven years. She is both a member of the VFW's auxiliary group and mother to Staff Sgt. William Smith, who is currently assigned to the Joint Base Lewis McChord, McChord Field. 

This year, the group's quilts will go to the Soldiers in the 627th Security Forces Squadron on JBLM, and Anderson is hopeful that the first group can receive quilts on Veteran's Day.

Teresa Faulconer, who served 29 years in the Air Force, is the deputy post commander for VFW Post 91. She now works as a seamstress, so joining the QOV to make quilts just made sense.

"I went last year to bring the quilts to American Lake Veterans Hospital and I even wore my uniform," Faulconer said. "It was so touching to see how grateful they all were. I can't wait to finish more and hand them out."

Though there are no set guidelines in place as far as colors or patterns, most of the finished products end up with a red, white and blue theme, though all are unique. In fact, some created this year are very different:  Anderson has been personally working with the veterans involved with the Wellness Class at American Lake and has collected handprints to create a few quilts. The handprints are also inscribed with personal, emotional messages that range from "Vets are the best" to "Fight the Good Fight" and "Hate Hurts."

About three times a year, the Tacoma area group meets in person for a potluck and to sew; the rest of the time, its members work independently on quilts at their own pace. Costs run about $200 per quilt and are typically paid out-of-pocket by the volunteer quilter. However, the group does accept donations, and a raffle for a quilt was conducted during the show this year to raise supply funds as well.

To make a donation, email Anderson at stichingsheryl@yahoo.com. For more information about getting involved, visit www.qovf.org.