Anyone visiting the Richman Insurance Agency building in Harlem will likely notice a quilt hanging on the west wall. Beside the quilt is a plaque and a story explaining that on July 17, 2017, Donald Wayne Richman, a member of the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict, was honored by the Quilts of Valor Foundation. The quilt was created by Elissa Zellmer from Hogeland.

The presentation was accompanied by a certificate from the Foundation that reads: "The Quilts of Valor Foundation wishes to recognize you for your service to our nation. We consider it a privilege to honor you. Though we may never know the extent of your sacrifices and service to protect and defend the United States of America, as an expression of gratitude, we award you this Quilt of Valor."

Hanging to the left of the certificate is a story explaining the symbolism and the purpose of the quilt. "A Quilt of Valor (QOV) is not a charity quilt nor a blanket. Any quilter will be able to explain how a quilt consists of three layers held together by its quilting stiches. The Foundation thinks of the layers in this way:

• The top of the quilt with its many colors, shapes, and fabrics represents the communities and the many individuals we are.

• The batting, the filler, is the center of the quilt, its warmth. It represents our hope that this quilt will bring warmth, comfort, peace, and healing to all who receive it.

• The backing is the strength that supports the other layers. It represents the strength of the recipient, the support of the soldiers' family, our communities, and our nation.

• Each stitch that holds the layers together represents love and gratitude.

So, on behalf of the QOV Foundation and a grateful nation, with our deepest appreciation, we thank you for your service to our country with this Quilt of Valor Award."

After encountering this display, I felt motivated to research the QOV organization. I learned that their mission is "to cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor."

An inclusive nonprofit that does not tolerate prejudice of any kind, the organization has both a Facebook page and a website. Their QOV Page and private group serve as a platform for sharing accomplishments and highlighting their mission.

Their core values identify standards of conduct for anyone associated with the Quilts of Valor Foundation (QOVF):

• Respect: Treat everyone with respect. Honor all faiths and beliefs and strive for inclusivity;

• Excellence: Put the best possible artistry and materials into every quilt we make, ensuring a lasting award for the recipient;

• Service: Always place recipients first;

• Accountability: Hold each other accountable for our actions - to our recipients, supporters, donors and fellow volunteers

The organization's website describes the process for nominating a service member or living veteran to receive a QOV. Their intention is to cover all nominees as quickly as possible in the order received. However, factors such as the era of service, life circumstances, and nominee's health are taken into consideration during the prioritization process.

According to the founder of the QOVF, Catherine Roberts, an emphasis is placed "on those most in need of comfort and healing; those who need to know their sacrifice is acknowledged, those who need the affirmation of a hug, and those who never heard the words 'Welcome Home.'"

The QOVF began in 2003 with a literal dream. Roberts' son Nat was deployed in Iraq. According to Roberts, "The dream was as vivid as real life. I saw a young man sitting on the side of his bed in the middle of the night, hunched over. The permeating feeling was one of utter despair. I could see his war demons clustered around, dragging him down into an emotional gutter.

"Then, as if viewing a movie, I saw him in the next scene wrapped in a quilt. His whole demeanor changed from one of despair to one of hope and well-being. The quilt had made this dramatic change. The message of my dream was: Quilts = Healing.

The model appeared simple: have a volunteer team who would donate their time and materials to make a quilt. One person would piece the top and the other would quilt it. I saw the name for this special quilt. It was a Quilt of Valor, a QOV."

According to the QOV website, five QOV groups currently exist in Montana: Big Sky Quilts of Valor, Glendive; Montana Treasured Piecemakers, Billings; Piecemakers of the Madison Quilt Guild, Cameron; Western Montana Quilts of Valor, Frenchtown; and Ruby Valley Patchwork Pals Quilt Guild, Whitehall. Presently, the position for a State Coordinator in Montana is open. Whether this information is up-to-date or not is unknown.

The QOVF invites any quilter who shares the organization's core values and a passion for quilting to make a quilt. Guidelines on the QOV website define a QOV as one that "reflects the best possible workmanship and use of quality materials." They also share steps, procedures, and size and color recommendations. These are consistent with the Foundation's core value of promoting excellence.

Richman, who is the Commander for Post 4744 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), was selected to receive a QOV by Zellmer. Says Zellmer, "I have gifted six Quilts of Valor. Don's quilt was my first one."

About his quilt, Richman said, "When Elissa invited me to Hogeland, I thought I was going to see Ed and Kathy Zellmer's new house. I had no idea I was going to be honored with a Quilt of Valor; it was a total surprise, and I was taken aback. In fact, I was so touched, I cried."

Richman's emotions were elevated when he spoke because his return from Vietnam still carries raw memories. "When we got off the airplane from Vietnam, people threw baggies of dog poop at us. That's not how I thought a soldier was supposed to be treated," Richman reported. He recalled stories about his uncles, who were World War II veterans, being welcomed home with gratitude and respect, not with contempt.

"I would have to say that to finally be honored was very humbling. At the same time, this was a proud moment, perhaps my biggest honor," said Richman.

Because Hogeland and Turner do not have a chapter of QOV, Zellmer participates as an individual. "I have always wanted to find a way to blend my love of quilting with a good cause. I heard of QOV through social media and felt it was the perfect fit. My grandfather is a Vietnam vet and my sister is a vet of Iraqi Freedom. It felt right to honor their service and that of others with quilts."

In addition to Richman, other benefactors of Zellmer's talent and gratitude have been Jim Reed, Lenny Erickson, Andrea Castle (Zellmer's sister), Brad Castle, and Richard Denfeld (Zellmer's grandfather). Although Zellmer has plans for further creation, distance learning, COVID concerns, and working to obtain a master's degree have slowed her quilting down.