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This is the week we commemorate Veterans' Day and around this region organizations were holding memorial programs and dinners in appreciation of those who serve.

But if you are someone seeking a more creative or personalized method to thank a veteran, and you are handy with needle and thread, there's a foundation called Quilts of Valor you could look into. The goal for this group-- that came together in 2003-- is to get some 33,000 quilts into the hands of returning veterans or present quilts to families who have lost a family member in conflict. The quilts are a physical reminder the veteran is appreciated but also serve as psychological support. According to the Quilts Of Valor Foundation website over 17,000 quilts have been delivered.

QOV has generated lots of involvement from local citizens. Several members of Forest Lake Memorial Quilters' Club are focusing on creating pillowcases which protect the quilts for presenting. The club's donated dozens. Vice president Vicki McNally says the good thing about this effort is that the quilts are presented within this region (five state area). The main distribution location for the foundation, out of Rosemount, MN presented 270 quilts in 2007 and 385 with a couple months still left in 2008.

Silver Lane Quilt Shop in Forest Lake accepts completed quilt tops, which are finished with batting and quilted by volunteers on machines. Your Quilt of Valor will be returned for you to do binding and then individuals can donate the quilt to QOV Foundation. Of course totally completed quilts are also accepted for distribution.

Silver Lane Quilt Shop is at Hwys. 97 and 61, towards the south end of Forest Lake.

The quilt should be a minimum of 50 inches by 60 inches and the maximum size encouraged is 72 by 96. There are patterns available on the website, www.qovf-um.org. Or contact a local volunteer or quilt shop, participating in the upper midwest branch of the foundation, and they can get you on the right track. The website is also where you may submit a veterans' name who you would like to see receiving a quilt.

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