WAYNESBORO – The words “Your sacrifice is the fabric that holds our community together” highlighted a special observance to recognize veterans Nov. 4.
The remarks were offered by Pat Weaver of Buchanan Trail Quilt Guild at the program to honor and present quilts to 15 men, representing the U.S. Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy, in Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELC) in Waynesboro.
“To the men and women who have served and continue to serve – who protect the freedoms that allow us to gather, to give and to grow, we say thank you,” she added.
The handmade quilts were presented to the following veterans: Franklin R. Scheib, Franklin K. Scheib and John Manges, Air Force; Eugene Haugh, Bill Brandt, Bill Stoner, John Eisenhower, Bill Wagaman, Bob Widmer, Stan Besecker, Lamar Sease and Melvin Price, Army; Glenn Kaiser, Marines; and Jay Brandt and Dave Weaver, Navy.
“Our hands and hearts are committed to making a difference. But today, we pause to honor those who make all of this possible,” Weaver said.
Many of those honored reacted with “gratitude for the countless hours it took to create the quilts,” as they were called to receive their gift.
“This is for all the guys who aren’t here,” noted Glenn Kaiser, a U.S. Marine veteran whose voice trembled with emotion.
The guild formed 44 years ago with a “simple yet powerful mission,” according to Weaver, “to come together as women of the community, to learn and share sewing skills, to support one another, and most importantly, to serve others through our charity work.
“Today, that mission remains the same. We still gather – sharing knowledge, creativity, and compassion. We still create – quilts of comfort, warmth, and love for those in need. And we still serve – our hands and hearts committed to making a difference,” she added.
Members of the committee who planned the program were Weaver, Mary Logan and Joyce Manges. The guild, which has about 40 members, meets at 6 p.m. the second Thursday of each month from September to June at ELC, 43 S. Church St.
