Even when it’s not a “Sew Day” or one of our two annual national holidays devoted to veterans, the Jefferson County chapter of the national Quilts of Valor nonprofit organization remains active in dispensing quilts to area veterans.

Ray Jeffery of Marrowstone Island, a 97-year-old U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, received his Quilt of Valor on Aug. 13 from Garland Goesch, who received his own quilt at one of the nonprofit’s twice-annual presentations at the Marvin G. Shields Memorial American Legion Post 26 Hall.

“I just did my job,” said Jeffery, who served on board ship during the war, and was presented with his quilt at a neighbor’s home, with a view of the water, among his many friends.

And seven veterans of the U.S. Army, Navy and Coast Guard at the North Olympic Peninsula VA Clinic in Port Angeles were honored for their service with Quilts of Valor on Aug. 15.

Kathryn Bates, team leader for the Jefferson County Quilts of Valor, explained that the clinic provides primary care, mental health, laboratory and social services to qualified veterans of the armed forces.

“Of the 28 employees at the clinic, 10 are veterans,” Bates said, adding that the Jefferson County Quilts of Valor honored the service of seven of those 10 by awarding them patriotic quilts at the end of their workday that Thursday.

The day’s honorees included Army veterans Adam Garcia and Edward Leu; Navy veterans Tracy Delacruz, Warren Husman, William Jeffrey, Chris Ruley and Neil Heimer, the latter of whom was not present, but still received a quilt; and Coast Guard veteran Michael Stout.

“The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor,” Bates said. “All members of the armed forces are eligible for a quilt for the asking, and there is never any cost to the veteran or the requester.”

As of mid-August, 226,042 quilts have been awarded to veterans and active duty military personnel throughout the United States, with at least 400 coming from the Jefferson County chapter since 2015.

“Just think of each quilt as a permanent hug from us,” Bates said.

Each quilt is presented to an American military veteran in the area, typically during the annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies at American Legion Post 26 in Port Townsend.

Bates emphasized that, while the quilts are intended for veterans, no proof of service is necessary to be a recipient.

“Just fill out an application, and we’re good to go,” Bates said.

Those interested can fill out an application at Quilts of Valor’s national site, qovf.org, and the request will be forwarded to the local chapter.

The Jefferson County Quilts of Valor has accepted responsibility for fulfilling requests in both Jefferson and Clallam counties.

For further details, email Bates at 1katheybates@gmail.com.