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On April 12, the Cotton Rose Quilters presented four quilts to local veterans at a special program at First Baptist Church.

To his great disappointment, Fred Wilks Moore, former mayor of Elba, was unable to attend.

On June 17, Pike County Veterans Affairs Officer Randy Ross had the honor of presenting Moore’s quilt to him at Monarch Estates in Auburn.

“When a veteran, who has been touched by war, receives a Quilt of Valor for his or her services, it is a beautiful and meaningful way to say ‘thank you,’” Ross said. “The quilts are stitched with love, prayers and healing thoughts to the veteran as a token of gratitude for their service and with hopes to bring them comfort.”

Ross said Moore accepted his quilt with pride and honor and great appreciation to the Cotton Rose Quilters.

“He wanted me to expressed to the quilters how much the quilt means to him. It warms his heart,” Ross said. “I’m sure the quilts mean just as much to the other veterans who were so honored by the Cotton Rose Quilters.

The Quilt of Valor program traces its roots back to 2023 when founder Catherine Roberts witnessed firsthand how war was impacting America’s servicemen and women, Ross said. “Her son had just returned from Iraq and was having trouble adjusting back to civilian life. To provide comfort and solace to her son, Catherine Roberts made him a quilt which he found comforting. This inspired Catherine Robert to launch a nationwide effort to show gratitude for all veterans through the healing powers of quilts. Thus, the Quilts of Valor foundation was born.

Members of the Cotton Rose Quilters Guild are June Byrd, Lori Broadway, Karen Bullard, Joyce Cooper, Diane Curtis, Julia Dillard, Csathy Fain, Sara Hatfield, Camille Hedden, Ruth Henderson, Melodie Lauer, Mary Marshall, Bea McKnatt, Peggy McVay, Penny Messick, Sherry Painter, Liz Petty, Elizabeth Precise, Stanna Traver, Angela Walton, Mary Jo Williams and Bonnie York.