The presentation of a special Quilt of Valor to Retired Master Sergeant Walter Blackman took place Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Keep and Bear Arms Gun Shop in Taylor. Created entirely by volunteers and with donated materials, the quilts are the “civilian equivalent of a Purple Heart award.”
As in previous presentations, the ceremony took place in front of the POW/MIA table set with items of significance and began with a remembrance for their service as well. Blackman first received the accompanying medal from veteran Bob Bernal before being wrapped in his award by Cheryl Voirin and Bonnie Tarlton, founding members of Heart to Heart Quilts.
“This is not a charity quilt, it is an award,” said Voirin. “We honor you for your service.”
Blackman served seven deployments, primarily to the Middle East, with 120 combat missions between 1995 and 2016, missing years at a time while his wife Kristie raised their four children. In honor of his service and because of his volunteer work within the community, co-workers at the Veterans Affairs in Show Low nominated him for the award.
“I’ve received many awards, but this award means the most to me,” said Blackman. “I am very humbled by this award.”
The quilt awarded to Blackman was made by Heart to Heart Quilts, a local chapter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation based out of Overgaard that started with two members in 2014 and has already grown to include 35. To date, they have created and awarded more than 90 quilts to veterans in and around the area.
An entirely volunteer organization, the Quilts of Valor Foundation began in 2003 with the mission to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts following a dream the founder, Catherine Roberts, had while her son was deployed. In the dream, she saw a young man sitting on the side of his bed in despair with his war demons. She then saw him wrapped in a quilt, like a giant comforting hug, and his whole demeanor changed.
A Quilt of Valor is a lifetime award, each labeled with the recipient’s name, maker, date and place awarded, and the foundation will replace or repair it should it wear out or become damaged.
