The steps of the Capitol in Charleston were covered with over 180 quilts on Sunday, September 5. The quilts were made by volunteers with Quilts of Valor, a national project in which volunteers create quilts for veterans.

The quilts came from all over the state, and nine were presented to veterans.

“When the quilts are presented to veterans, we wrap the quilt around them so that when they are having a bad day, they will know that someone loves them and appreciates what they did,” said Jody Postalwait, West Virginia Chapter of the Quilts of Valor.

The Quilts of Valor display was originally intended to be held on Saturday, but inclement weather conditions prevented it.

After Sunday’s display at the state capital, the quilts will be going to the Amish Country of Ohio for the Ohio Amish Country Quilt Festival in Mt. Hope from September 9 through 11. The quilts will then return to West Virginia, where they will be presented to veterans around the state.

The Quilts of Valor project was started in 2003 by Catherine Roberts, a Blue Star mother, who wanted to present returning soldiers with quilts as a way of showing appreciation for their service. Quilts of Valor has local chapters around the country. Those interested in requesting a quilt can go to the Quilts of Valor webpage at www.qovf.org The organization is always looking for donations and volunteers.