When Nancy Weems decided to make a quilt for her granddaughter she went to a quilt shop and met Barbara Landers. Landers offered to teach Weems how to quilt and also told her about “Quilts of Valor.”

Quilts of Valor is an organization that consists of volunteers who make quilts for all combat wounded service members.

Since Weems was a military brat and her father was in the army, she jokingly refers to herself as “Miss Patriotic.”

When she thinks about the recipients of the quilts, it makes her weep just talking about it.

“You put love in [the quilt] and you think about them,” Weems said.

Gail Linkins learned about the Quilts of Valor from Weems, her neighbor. Linkins has been the Federal Security Director of Transportation Security Administration under the Department of Homeland Security for more than five years.

On Labor Day, Weems’ excitement about the Quilts of Valor rubbed off on Linkins

“I just couldn’t quit thinking about it. How it would make that soldier feel to get something from home,” Linkins said.

When the TSA advisory council met recently Linkins brought up the idea of making Quilts of Valor for this year’s fall project. The reaction to provide quilts for injured soldiers was overwhelming, she said.

TSA Security Officer Rebecca Grant is chairing the Mobile Quilts of Valor project. Five teams will each make one quilt of the same size and common patriotic theme.

“Over 65 hands will touch the quilt,” Linkins said adding that quilting has begun.

TSA Asst. Federal Director Andrew Johnson is in the Army National Guard. He was deployed to Iraq and received the bronze star. He took a sewing machine with him to sew on patches for the soldiers there.

The same sewing machine will be used to make the quilts. The quilts will be accompanied by a photo album detailing the work that has gone into each quilt.

This is truly a family affair for Linkins’ family. Children are encouraged to participate, as this opens the door for children to learn about freedom and the sacrifices our the soldiers are making, Linkins said.

Daughters Alex and Katie Beaman, ages seven and 10, will lend a helping hand in making the quilt as will Linkins’ husband, Dave, a retired army colonel.

David Beaman, Linkin’s stepson and Dave Beaman’s son, was recently deployed to Iraq for his second tour of duty.

Another Baldwin County quilter, Roberta Speh, said when she started she had only planned on making one quilt, but has now made 14. She said she sometimes gets letters from chaplains and recipients.

“This is the kind of thing that keeps you going and making another one,” she said.

It takes her 150 hours or more to finish one quilt. She gives out information about QOV at quilt shows and has reached nearly 100 people who are now making quilts. Speh said this is about people, not politics.

Bobby Bills, owner of Bay Quilt Works in Spanish Fort, heard about the Quilts of Valor at a quilt show. She donates the long arming of a limited number of the quilts during the year without charge.

“It makes quilters feel like they can participate in being patriotic for the soldiers,” she said.

According to Weems, even people that don’t know how to quilt can pitch in by buying material or helping with designs. Or, those interested can quilt just the top and send it to the national organization for free quilting, she said.

A pillowcase is made to house the quilt. There is also a place for the quilter, long armer and recipient names. The quilt is shipped to the national organization and the recipient is determined at the national level.

Weems’ quilt was based on patriotic colors of red, white and blue with strips made into blocks. She describes herself as a “late bloomer quilter,” but she has already planned on making her next Quilt of Valor.