Honor quilts ensure that heroes are not forgotten

Edward Rembleski donned his old 11th Airborne jacket from World War II and the medals he earned while in service, Jan. 20, when he was presented with an honor quilt, from the Quilts of Valor Foundation. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

There aren’t many who remain, who can recall living through World War II, let alone serving overseas in it, but Edward Rembleski, Cornell, is one who does. Rembleski was 17 years of age when he enlisted, serving two years, in the 11th Airborne, in Okinawa, Japan.

While the conflict was just about over, Rembleski still saw a little bit of the action before he was discharged.

“I was on the tail end of it,” he said. The action was finished for Rembleski, when he jumped out of an airplane and broke his ankle, and had to stay on the sidelines for the rest of his time served.

“Then, they made me a cook,” said Rembleski.

That time is long past, but there are those who recognize that those who serve, no matter when, no matter how long, no matter in what capacity of the military, are important, when they sign up to give their lives in defense of their country and of freedom.

“They’re not just soldiers, they’re our heroes,” said Kathy Krug, volunteer with the Quilts of Valor (QOV)Foundation. “We owe so much to them and their families.”

Krug presented a handmade quilt in patriotic colors and fabrics to Rembleski, at his home, Jan. 20, as a token of appreciation for that service. QOV was started in 2003, by a woman whose son was deployed, after she had a dream that a quilt represented healing for soldiers.

Since then, 10,000 volunteers and 600 quilting groups in all 50 states, have given of their time, money and talents, to construct the covers for those nominated to receive them.

Some quilters make the blocks, while others work on the binding and machine long-arm stitch the cover. For Rembleski’s quilt, the Flambeau Area Piecemakers sewed the blocks and a member of their group machine quilted it.

Although not expecting the honor quilt, Rembleski was touched, as was his family.

“America didn’t forget you,” said Krug.

[caption id="attachment_212900" align="alignnone" width="116"] Rembleski enlisted when he was merely 17, serving two years in Japan, on the tail end of the war.[/caption]