Brownwood quilters Pauline McBride and Doris Rice presented PFC Austin Cochran with a Quilt of Valor Thursday, April 21, 2011.
The quilt is a symbol of appreciation, “made with love and honor” by McBride and Rice (pictured above).“We are proud and honored to be able to present a token of our respect and gratitude to PFC Austin Cochran for his service and sacrifice,” stated Pauline McBride as she read a description of the quilt, it’s pattern, the fabrics and how it was constructed.
The cutting and piecing of the material was completed by McBride and the addition of batting and quilting the layers together was done by Doris Rice. The pair finished up the quilt on the day of presentation. The quilt also has a square that commemorated the date of the presentation of the quilt to Cochran along with the name of the design (Man Quilt) and the names of Rice and McBride as having crafted and presented the quilt.
The quilt has subtle patriotic designs and patterns throughout and was offered with a lifetime guarantee. The pattern of the material has small American flags as well as the quilting itself in a pattern of flags and stars.
Cochran expressed his gratitude to Rice and McBride for their efforts and the care that they put into the quilt.
“It’s more than a material aspect, they put thought into it and they put love into this,” stated Cochran. “It means more to me than just keeping me warm, it’s something that down the road my son will be able to see it and ask, ‘Dad what’s that?’ and I’ll be able to tell him that people around the community cared enough to give a token of appreciation.”
If it gets damaged or destroyed, McBride stated that she would gladly replace it for Cochran as long as she is alive and able to quilt. Cochran was urged to use and enjoy the quilt. Rice and McBride also explained how he should care for the quilt so that one day it can be passed on to his son and be a part of history since it was made and given during the War on Terror.
Cochran took time to thank the ladies for their work in making the quilt for him. He also showed the many letters, posters and cards he received from students of Early ISD along with the awards he received while in battle. These awards include a purple heart and many coins awarded by different military groups including one from the Apache Helicopter crew of the Air Force (giving awards across different branches of military is very rare) and others. He showed a few of the coins and stated there are more coins he has received that are still at Fort Knox for him to claim upon his return.
When McBride and Rice asked him what people can do for the soldiers that are still in battle, Cochran encouraged them to tell others to send care packages to the troops. Things like books, hard candy and letters really lift their spirits. Being so far from home and their loved ones, these gifts are very special.
“Whatever we got from home, just meant the world to us” said Cochran.
Cochran was injured in an attack on his military convoy on March 17, 2011, while he was deployed to Afghanistan. Click here to read a previous story about Cochran surviving the attack.
Pictured above is Cochran with his Quilt of Valor along with presenters Pauline McBride (left) and Doris Rice (right).
About Quilts of Valor: Quilts of Valor (QOV) was started by Catherine Roberts of Seaford, Delaware in Nov. 2003. Catherine is a Blue Star mom (a mom who has a son or daughter in the military) and with a son in harm’s way, her vision of the world changed. “Casualties no longer were just numbers but real men and women dying. Hidden behind the casualties were the wounded.” (Statistic: For every casualty there are 10 wounded.) Catherine did an internet search for quilts and wounded and found nothing. She made phone calls around the country trying to find out how she could start a project like this and ended up talking to Chaplain Kallerson at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Chaplain Kallerson’s wife was a quilter and he understood what Catherine wanted to do. Kallerson explained, “I think a hand-made lap quilt will be very good for our soldiers who have had amputations since winter is coming on and the quilt will warm them. Also, it will help with their phantom pain.” Catherine now also has contacts at 24 military hospitals and with various veterans’ groups around the country. These QOV’s provide comfort, love and healing prayers plus pay tribute to these combat wounded. (As of April 23, 2011, to date the QOV’s website states that over 42,000 quilts have been presented.)
Below are pictures taken during the presentation.
Pauline McBride, Austin Cochran, and Doris Rice as he thanks them for the Quilt of Valor.
Cochran shows McBride and Rice his Purple Heart Medal.
Cheri Cochran, Austin’s mother, shows cards and letters he received while deployed.
Walls of the Cochran home decorated with posters from Early Elementary classes. These posters greeted Cochran when he came to speak at the school.
