North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
By Kaye Collins
The Loris Women’s Coalition Veteran’s Day Tribute, Salute to the Loris American Heroes will be held on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 10 a.m. at the Loris High School auditorium at 301 Loris Lions Road.
The Loris Women’s Coalition invites the community to come together to pay tribute to the veterans who have served our country and safeguarded the freedom of others. “You do not have to be a veteran to participate in this event,” stated Veda Nichols. “We welcome anyone who wishes to honor a loved one who has passed away, recognize the veterans present at the Salute to the American Heroes, and join us for a morning of respect followed by a brunch after the ceremony.”
Quilts of Valor will be presented to chosen veterans during the program by the Myrtle Beach Shore Birds. A Quilt of Valor is a handmade quilt, crafted and awarded to service members and veterans to honor their sacrifice. These quilts are made from quality materials and must be machine or hand-quilted (not tied) to meet the foundation’s standards. They are not just donated, but are presented as a specific award to express gratitude and offer healing, comfort, and support.
The Quilts of Valor provide comforting and healing to service members and veterans touched by war. Each quilt is personally awarded in a ceremony to ensure the recipient understand the gratitude behind it. Quilts must be made with quality, 100 percent cotton fabrics and correctly quilted. These quilts are large enough to cover an average size adult, with an ideal size of 60 by 80 inches, or a minimum of 55 by 65 inches. Though sometimes patriotic, the design can also reflect the veteran’s personal preferences. The quilt is a tangible token of appreciation that conveys ‘thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor’. The Quilts of Valor cannot be purchased or sold, they are donated to the recipients as an award from the Quilts of Valor Foundation.
The Myrtle Beach Shore Birds are a local chapter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation dedicated to presenting handmade quilts to honor and comfort veterans and active-duty military personnel in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, area. Founded in 2010 by Air Force veterans Joan and Jim Wobbleton, the group coordinates volunteers to create and award these symbolic quilts as a token of gratitude for service. The Myrtle Beach Shore Birds chapter serves Horry, Georgetown, and Florence counties in South Carolina. They have awarded thousands of quilts to local veterans since their founding in 2010. Each quilt is a tangible expression of thanks with special markings for honors like the Purple Heart.
After the ceremony veterans, friends, family and guests may gather in the community room for a small brunch. The Loris Women’s Coalition warmly invites all to participate in honoring the veterans who will be present and to engage in conversation with them after the ceremony while enjoying a meal.
