OTTUMWA —
Would you like to sign the Freedom Quilt that will be on permanent display at the 9/11 Museum in New York City?
If you do, you’d better go to the Wapello County 4-H Expo today at the Bridge View Center. That’s where you’ll find Betty Nielson and her many quilts on display.
Specifically, the center table at Nielson’s exhibit holds the “Iowa Has Not Forgotten” quilt. People who contribute $5 can sign it.
The contribution helps Freedom Quilts, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to comforting mourning families. For every $5 they receive, the quilters can buy more fabric and supplies and keep the project going.
Liz and Bill Schiller of Ottumwa accepted a Freedom Quilt made in memory of their son, Cpl. Jon Schiller. They wrote a letter to the editor about how Freedom Quilts “is 100 percent sustained through the hard work and commitment of volunteers” and “the generous support of donors.”
“Volunteers dedicate about 80-100 hours of work and attention to create each unique, personalized Freedom Quilt,” the Schillers noted.
During the past 10 years, the quilters’ efforts have been dedicated to those families who lost a loved one in the 9/11 tragedy and to the families of America’s fallen soldiers, Nielson said.
Through the gift of a quilt, Freedom Quilts strives to comfort these families and preserve the honor and memory of their loved ones, she added.
Annette Jones and Angel Steele, both of Ottumwa, stopped by the quilt display Friday morning to sign the Freedom Quilt.
Steele said she really liked the Twin Towers and was sorry when the attack brought them down. And, she wanted to honor any people “who have died for their country.”
Jones said her brother and her grandfather died serving their country.
Steele said she hopes “our Army people” can get back to America.
Nielson visited with many of the people who came to sign the Iowa quilt at the Freedom Quilts display. She told of the “double anniversary.”
“It’s the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and of the Freedom Quilts,” Nielson said.
She recalled the evening of 9/11 and watching the continual TV news updates. She said it was bad enough when the Twin Towers went down. “But when the Pentagon was hit, I knew I had to do something,” she said.
“Something” turned out to be Freedom Quilts, and Nielson said “faith keeps the project going.”
After 9/11, she prayed a lot, asking how to bring comfort to bereaved families. Quilts were the answer.
Before 9/11, Nielson dabbled with quilts but not to the extreme. She knew, though, that keeping faith in the Lord meant nothing was impossible.
And now, Nielson, who lives in Fonda, Iowa, travels with the quilts. In August, the Iowa quilt will be on display at the Iowa State Fair.
“We were thinking this year to do quilts for families, but those will have to wait until next year,” she said. “Others want quilts, too, and we’ll have more time to go to different towns.”
Nielson said she always wanted to do quilts and admired them, so she found people to show her what to do and how to do it.
“I believe a higher power helped me out,” she said. “I asked in prayer for help with my ‘road blocks’ about how to design the quilt blocks.
Nielson has personal experience with what’s required of Americans serving in the military. She served in the U.S. Air Force and her brother, sister, aunts and uncles also served in America’s military branches
“Fallen soldiers are in my heart, and their families mean so much,” Nielson said.
Web extras: www.freedomquilts.net
Local News
Related Photos
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Betty Nielson, left, and Liz Schiller chatted Friday morning about the “Iowa Has Not Forgotten” quilt, which is on the table in front of them. Several other quilts are also on display during the 4-H Expo at Bridge View Center. In 2001, Nielson and her husband, Dennis, founded Freedom Quilts, a nonprofit organization. For $5 anyone can sign the quilt, which will eventually be on display at the 9/11 Museum in New York City. Cindy Toopes/The Courier
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