“Freedom Quilts” honor legacy of WWII Veterans

Scott Beaver, a medical support assistant at Eastern Colorado VA, started a “Freedom Quilt” workshop in October 2021 at the VA clinic in Colorado Springs. Struggling with the loss of his stepmother, he used his work to help cope with her passing, knowing that she was proud of the workshop and what it meant for Veterans.

Veterans receive “Freedom Quilt”

Beaver started the Freedom Quilt workshops with a $5,000 grant from the Center for Development and Civic Engagement. More than 25 volunteers are now involved. Everyone gets fabric kits with pattern instructions, along with access to tools and equipment.

The Navy Veterans’ Weekend Volunteers have finished more than 50 Freedom Quilts. They donate their projects to assisted-living facilities, homeless support programs and other Veteran support services. Family members and friends have requested them for Veterans of all eras, including Medal of Honor recipients.

Ceremony to present the quilts to five WWII Veterans

Beaver asked the clinic’s Veterans and providers to pause their work and attend a ceremony on February 7 to learn about five local WWII Veterans who would be presented with a handmade quilt.

The ceremony was kicked off by two junior ROTC units from Colorado Springs. Seated nearby were Army Veterans Edwin Beck and Louis Schindler, who were turning 98 and 99 years old, respectively; and Army Veteran Helen Rydell, 99, who was seated between 100-year-old Navy Veteran Carl Eastridge and a chair for a 96-year-old WWII Veteran who couldn’t attend.

“There aren’t many of us left,” said Beck, who has been a POW during the war. “It was the saddest day of my life when I had to lay down my weapon and surrender.” He still recalls the Luger holstered by the Nazi interrogator asking him if he was related to German general Ludwig Beck who conspired the prior summer to kill Hitler.

Beaver with World War II telegram

“I went through hell. I know that,” said Beck, holding a folded quilt and a copy of the telegram sent to his mother when he went missing in action. “You can read about it, you can hear about it, but it’s not the same as being there.”

During the ceremony, Beaver held up the World War II-era telegram sent to Army Veteran Edwin Beck’s mother after he went missing in action during the Battle of the Bulge.

According to VA estimates, out of the 16 million who served during WWII, nearly 120,000 are still living, and about 2,000 of them in Colorado.

Volunteers have finished more than 50 quilts

“It’s my opportunity to give back,” said Penny Talley, a volunteer who started quilting 36 years ago while her husband was serving in Italy. She teaches basic and creative quilting skills for Veterans intending to reduce symptoms associated with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Many of our quilts are attached to comfort animals that kids can hold, cuddle and play with and take home,” said Talley. They have created more than 60 comfort animals for when children accompany a parent seeking mental health care under extreme circumstances.

Links to nominate Veterans and donate materials

The Freedom Quilt workshops depend on volunteers and donations. The quilters were recently gifted roughly 10 boxes of fabric. They’re now working to get additional batting for insulation.

“A Veteran is never forgotten as long as we honor their legacy,” said Beaver. “Talk to a Veteran. Learn from a Veteran. Let their legacy live.”

To participate in the Freedom Quilt workshops or donate materials, contact the Center for Development and Civic Engagement at vhaechvolsvcs@va.gov. To nominate local Veterans for a Freedom Quilt, send their stories to michael.beaver2@va.gov.