Page 30 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Fall 2021 - Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS
It Was a Little Thing
t was a little thing: A Claude
woman heard about a group
Iin Pampa who made quilts for
local veterans. In 2016, she thought
about starting a similar project of
quilting for veterans in Armstrong
County. She knew the names of a
few veterans through her church,
and she knew several ladies who
made quilts for family and friends.
She asked, and several of these
ladies helped her make quilts and
30 Amarillo Senior Link
identify local veterans. They taught
others how to quilt, and that’s how
it all began.
For five years, eight women
gathered weekly with sewing
machines, fabric, and needles to
make quilts. They shared lunch,
coffee and conversation. They
sewed red, white, and blue patriotic
designs, anticipating who the
recipient would be. Soon, other
women heard of the project and
by Peggy Meathenia
worked at home to help create
quilts for veterans in their lives –
perhaps, a relative or a good family
friend. Over time, the town learned
of the “Quilting for Veterans
Quilters” and provided donations
of fabric and cash to make quilts.
It was a little thing: The Claude
Church of Christ provided
Fellowship Hall for the quilting
group and a room in which to store
the fabrics and quilting tools. It is a
place where quilters thrive.
It was a little thing: Claude School
District asked if the group would
present quilts during its annual
Veterans Day Program for students
K-12 and the community.
It was a little thing: As the
quilts were wrapped around
the men and women veterans,
tears trickled down cheeks. The
words, “Thank you. I didn’t
think anyone remembered,” were
whispered to the quilters. As the
veterans made their way to the
microphone – some on walkers,
some using canes, and some in
wheelchairs – the students were
quiet and attentive. As each quilt
was wrapped around a recipient,
the students in the bleachers
clapped and cheered, and the
band’s patriotic melodies echoed
in the gym. Relatives seated in the
bleachers smiled and nodded when
their family member was honored.
It was a little thing: (Or maybe not
so little). The impact on the students
was tremendous. They returned to
class, knowing they had been part
of an event honoring sacrifice and