Fellowship among friends

EDEN VALLEY — Seeing grown men cry can often evoke emotions from anyone in the room. Paint that room army green with gold accents or red, white and blue, and a whole new meaning takes hold.

One woman’s initiative in Meeker County designed to honor veterans has caught on, growing from three members to 14. The Eden Valley Patriotic Quilters group, launched by Vicki Peschon in 2016, hand sews quilts as part of the national organization, Quilts of Honor, a non-profit organization of dedicated volunteers.

Since they began 10 years ago, they have made and given out 767 quilts — all on donated time, money and supplies — and each one is dedicated to a veteran. Peschon works directly with the commanders in charge of several American Legion Posts throughout central Minnesota to nominate and arrange for veterans to receive a quilt for their service. Quilts have been made honoring male and female veterans, spanning all branches of the military.

For Peschon, most days start in her quilting room and often end at the Eden Valley American Legion on a note of patriotic appreciation, where sadness and hope can simultaneously fill the air. In 2014, she was quilting with a group in Hutchinson when she experienced a larger purpose for herself unfold.

“We went on a day trip to Fort Snelling to hand out quilts to veterans,” Peschon said. “The gentlemen were in their 80s and 90s, and they just cried … It was such a moving experience that I thought, ‘I want to make sure every veteran gets a quilt,’ because that was just unbelievable.”

The Eden Valley Patriotic Quilters create 10 quilts a month. Many of the members take home material and thread to independently work on their own sewing machines. Pattern work is inspired by each member, and the only specifications are the standard size of 60 inches by 70 inches, a patriotic theme and all materials being made from 100% cotton or flannel.

On the first of the month, one will find American Legion Post 381 in

Eden Valley packed with group members buzzing about, quilt tops spread everywhere, sewing machines lined on tables, coffee and dessert bars waiting for enjoyment and stories pertaining to each other’s daily lives being shared.

“We laugh a lot; we form friendships and we support one another,” Peschon said. “It’s like a fellowship in a way. We’re all here for a certain reason, to do certain things, and we all volunteer because we enjoy it.”

As the group has grown, they have found a rhythm of designated ironers, sewers, cutters and those who work on the long-arm sewing machine down the block at the community center. The 12-foot longarm was donated to the group by a fellow quilter who no longer had a need for it, and the group has put it to good use.

“When we first started out, we would go around and visit Legions,” Peschon said. “We would talk with the commander in charge. We brought along quilts, and we just explained that we wanted to honor and give back to veterans.”

The Patriotic Quilters have made quilts for the veterans of legions in Eden Valley, Watkins, Cosmos, Lake Henry, Cold Spring, Richmond, St. Joseph, St. Stephen and Kimball. The invitation is open for members, donations or those who would like to request a quilt made for a veteran they know.

The group shares their mission by word of mouth as well as an occasional write up in their community newspaper. Citizens for Progress has a Facebook page that promotes Eden Valley and often posts pictures of what the group is up to. At the Music in the Park celebration for America’s 250th birthday in July at Friederichs Park, the group had many quilts on display.

“Every one of our group members has a veteran tie,” Peschon said. “That is not a requirement by any means, but when others ask us what we are up to, we are always honored to share that we are sewing quilts for veterans.”

Peschon said that each of the group’s quilts is completed with the finishing touches, including the hand-sewn binding and the Quilts of Honor commemorative iron-on patch. She is often present to wrap up the dedication ceremony.

“Sometimes we present the veterans with their quilts as a surprise,” Peschon said. “The commander will let the family know that it is important they attend an appreciation event, but that is all, so the vet won’t know.”

Peschon said the quilt presentations can be emotional.

“So many veterans think that they do not deserve these quilts,” Peschon said. “The tears flow from all of us. It’s a really moving experience, and it’s the reason why it is so important for us to continue to do it.”