WARETOWN – As a lay leader at Waretown United Methodist Church, David White is accustomed to standing front and center during Sunday services. But one morning was different. Instead of leading prayers or reading scripture, White found himself the focus of heartfelt recognition, honored for his military service in a deeply personal way.
White was presented with a handmade Quilt of Valor, its fabric a patchwork of care and craftsmanship that quietly spoke the words: thank you for your service.
The ceremony was more than just a moment of appreciation. It was a tribute to a lifetime of service and sacrifice, and a gesture that bound together family, faith, and community in a single, stitched embrace.
A Soldier’s Story
White’s military journey began in 1966, at the height of the Vietnam era. He served five years as a tank commander at Fort Knox, Kentucky, before becoming a platoon leader and staff sergeant with the 50th Armored Division in Madison and Riverdale, New Jersey. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant E-6, a role that reflected both leadership and resilience.
Those who know White describe him as steadfast and humble, the kind of person who always asks about others before speaking of himself. Yet, for this moment, his congregation turned their attention to him, honoring a veteran who has quietly lived his faith through service, both military and spiritual.
The ceremony’s uniqueness went beyond the recognition itself. The quilt presented to White wasn’t crafted by strangers or even some local organization. It was truly a labor of love created by his son’s wife, Megan, who has rightfully earned the title of “daughter-in-love.”
A Family Thread
Megan, who lives in Georgia with her husband Brian and their family, had long admired her father-in-law’s quiet devotion to faith and country. When she discovered the Quilt of Valor Foundation (QOVF), she knew she wanted to make something special for him.
“I actually didn’t even know this was going on,” she said, recalling how a friend first invited her to a quilting group. “A bunch of us meet once a month, about 30 women, with our sewing machines. We spend hours sewing, talking, and laughing. And every quilt we make is for a veteran who’s earned it through their service.”
Megan quickly learned that these quilts are more than artistic expressions but rather symbols of healing and honor. “It’s not a gift,” she emphasized. “It’s an award. It’s our way of saying thank you.”
Creating a Quilt of Valor is no small task. Each one must meet specific size standards, bear an official label, and be formally awarded – not just handed over. Every quilt is recorded in the QOV Foundation registry, ensuring that the recipient’s story becomes part of a national legacy of gratitude.
For Megan, the process started with selecting a pattern and fabric that reflected patriotism and pride. “Once I started, I couldn’t stop,” she said with a laugh. “I worked on it non-stop for two weekends to get the top done.”
After completing the top, Megan sent it to a volunteer long-arm quilter, a craftswoman with a specialized machine that stitches together the quilt’s three layers. They include the design, the batting, and the backing.
“It usually takes two or three months from start to finish,” she explained. “When it comes back, we add the binding and the label. That label is what makes it official – it tells the recipient’s story and identifies the volunteers who made it possible.”
Unable to attend the presentation in person because of distance, Megan was able to watch it virtually. “The presentation is always emotional,” Megan said. “We explain each veteran’s service, show the quilt to the audience, and then wrap it around them. We hug them and thank them for what they’ve done. There’s always tears.”
Of course, even from a distance, the look on her father-in-law’s face hit home more than Megan could have imagined.
White’s expression said it all. The humble veteran, rarely one for the spotlight, simply smiled and nodded, his eyes glistening with quiet emotion. “This is a beautiful honor and a beautiful quilt,” he said. “It means more than I can say.”
The Meaning Behind The Mission
The Quilt of Valor Foundation began in 2003, when founder Catherine Roberts envisioned covering service members and veterans “touched by war” with quilts stitched in love and healing. Her inspiration came as her son deployed to Iraq, a vision that has since expanded into a movement spanning all 50 states. More than 360,000 quilts have been awarded in the foundation’s 20-year history.
Each quilt, Roberts has said, represents a physical and emotional embrace from a grateful nation. “A Quilt of Valor is a tangible way to say, ‘We see you, we honor you, and we thank you,’” she explained in a 20th-anniversary statement.
White echoed that sentiment in his own way. “I did what I was called to do,” he said modestly. “But knowing someone took the time to make this, especially my daughter-in-law, that touches my heart.”
“It’s a privilege to serve and an honor to be remembered,” he said softly. “This quilt will always remind me that both matter.”
