By Barbara Palmgren
There are times when I am humbled. There are times when I am awe-struck. October 30, 2023, was one of those times. I watched Constance Newhouse being awarded a special honor that comes once in a lifetime: The Quilt of Valor. This event was held at the Fort Walton Beach Library to a round of applause by her community and especially members of the Flying Needles Quilt Guild.
Barbara Ouellette, Guild Coordinator and presenter for the Northwest Florida area, representing the Quilt of Valor Foundation, submitted the application for this honor after receiving a nomination for Constance from her friend, Sandy Stinson. The award can only be given to someone who is living and is a veteran or active-duty personnel with certain requisite criteria. The application is submitted and reviewed at a state level. When approved, the award must be given at an award presentation ceremony. The Florida State Coordinator appoints a representative from the nominees’ area of residence which in this case was the Flying Needles Quilt Guild. The nominee is contacted by the Quilt of Valor representative and arrangements are made to include a date, time and location of where the nominee would like to be awarded the Quilt of Valor.
The recipient is awarded a special quilt that is hand or machine stitched. Sandy saw a Quilt of Valor on exhibit at the library a few months ago and contacted members of the Flying Needles Quilt Guild and asked that this quilt be the one awarded to Constance. This quilt was pieced by two members of the guild, Peggy Murrel and Shirley Carter and quilted by Rainbow Quilting of Niceville. Constance is a veteran of the United States Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict from 1952-1954. She proudly comes from a strong military background with generations of over 145 years combined family members who served in various branches of the service. Constance shared photos of several of her relatives at the awards ceremony.
The Flying Needles Quilt Guild is non-profit organization. Its mission statement is as follows: The purpose of this organization is to preserve and continue the traditions, culture and history of quilting. The organization serves the general public by donations to other community service organizations. The organization will serve as a source of information and inspiration in quilting and related arts through the education of its members and the public in general by means of exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations, and workshops. The organization will encourage the heritage of quilt making and quilt collecting. The organization will be a gathering for people with this shared interest.
The guild’s focus on charity work is evident in the handiwork available for purchase: quilts, stockings, bags and pillowcases. They also donate items to various charities.
The Flying Needles Quilting Guild was personally thanked on the presentation plaque given to Constance in addition to the lovely Quilt of Valor itself.
It’s all about giving and caring for the community through a labor of love and talent by this special non-profit. Congratulations Constance Newhouse for your work for our military.
