Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (WFHR, WIRI) – On Memorial Day weekend, the Quilts of Valor Ceremony will take place in Wisconsin Rapids. Veterans in our area have been researching the event that began in 2003. They believe this is the first time in the state of Wisconsin that the ceremony will honor a group of all-female Veterans. Concurrently, they also theorize it may be the first ceremony of its kind in the entire country.

History of Quilts of Valor

This foundation began with one woman’s dream in 2003. While Catherine Roberts’ son was deployed in Iraq, she had a dream. As she tells the story on the Quilts of Valor website, she saw a young man sitting on his bedside in utter despair. She could see his war demons around him pulling him into depression. Catherine shared that the scene changed, as if in a movie. Next she saw the young man wrapped in a quilt and his whole demeanor changed into one of hope and well-being. She interpreted the dream to mean the quilt equaled healing. She began the Quilts of Valor foundation with volunteers donating their time and materials to make the quilts. The QOVF mission is “To cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.”

The First QOV

The first quilts awarded through the Quilts of Valor Foundation happened in November of 2003. The ceremony took place at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The very first one went to a young soldier from Minnesota. As of December 31, 2023, 373,394 quilts have been made and awarded as a Thank You for service, sacrifice and valor in serving our nation.

Memorial Day Weekend 2024

The festivities on Saturday, May 25th will begin at 1:30 PM. The ceremony is at the East Jr. High School Fieldhouse. It’s located at 311 Lincoln Street in Wisconsin Rapids. The Lincoln and Assumption High School band members will play patriotic songs followed by music selections by the Aspiring Acapellas. The presentation will begin at 2 PM with the posting of the colors. Following the Invocation, the Aspiring Acapellas will sing the National Anthem. The main event will be historic in that forty-six (maybe 48) female veterans will receive their recognition for the time spent in uniform in defense of our country.  These ladies will join the ranks of the previous female recipients and experience the honor that goes with the awarding of a Quilt of Valor.

Material Girls Quilt Club

In Wisconsin Rapids, the Material Girls Quilt Club has been involved with Quilts of Valor since 2016. Up to the present, they’ve awarded 292 quilts. 252 of those quilts have been awarded through the American Heroes Café-Central Wisconsin.

American Heroes Café-Central Wisconsin

In Wisconsin Rapids, the Heroes Café takes place from 7:30-9:30 AM on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month. Veterans, members of the Military, Police, and Fire Departments are welcome at the Crossview Church in Wisconsin Rapids.