By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Veteran Scott Wasinger, in front of packed stadium at the Ellis County rodeo Wednesday night, had a special quilt in bright red, white and blue colors draped over his shoulders.
He patted his heart before the cheering crowd to signal how it had touched him.
Wasinger said he was surprised and humbled by the gift and did not know his sister-in-law had nominated him to receive the quilt to honor his military service. His niece helped sew the quilt as part of a 4-H quilters group project.
Wasinger, of rural Ellis County, entered the Army Reserve in 1986. He was called to active duty during Operation Desert Storm. He earned the rank of sergeant and left the service in 1996.
Scott received the quilt through a joint project with the 4-H quilters and the local chapter of Quilts of Valor, which makes quilts for both veterans and active service personnel who have been affected by war.
Quilts of Valor just started a new chapter in Hays, and this was the first quilt the group awarded.
Quilts of Valor is a national organization that was founded in 2003 by Catherine Roberts whose son, Nat, served in Iraq.
Roberts, who was a quilter saw the gifts as a means of healing for those veterans who had been affected by war. Almost 192,000 quilts have been given to veterans and active service personnel since the organization’s inception.
Connie Haselhorst, Kansas Grateful Stitchers Chapter organizer, was in 4-H with Scott. Scott has been active supporter of 4-H and a member of the fair board.
Haselhorst said Scott was very humble about his service both in the Armed Forces and to the community, but was very deserving to be honored with a quilt.
“He is quiet, laid-back guy, who never takes the front seat” Haselhorst said. “He is always there helping but never wants any glory. This will be a little different for him.”
The Kansas Grateful Stitchers became involved with the 4-H quilters group, a group of about 12 youth, because of Haselhorst’s background in 4-H. Scott’s, niece, Marisa, 11, was one of the youth in the 4-H quilters group. Amy Wasinger, Marisa’s mother and Scott’s sister-in-law, nominated Scott to receive the quilt.
“I think the reason why he came to my mind is that he is pretty humble and he doesn’t think he deserves a lot of credit, but he served for 11 years in a difficult, high-stress combat situation,” Amy said. “He has always been in 4-H, so I thought it would be neat for 4-H kids making a quilt for someone who had been in 4-H himself, and it was our family.”
Marisa said of why she thought her uncle should receive a quilt, “He was in the Army, and I am proud of him.”
The 4-H quilters group made quilt blocks and then sewed those together to make Scott’s quilt, but women in Kansas Grateful Stitchers each individually work on a full quilt for someone who has served. Haselhorst said she was very impressed with the work the children did on Scott’s quilt. When they completed it, they all signed the quilt in one corner.
The other 4-H quilters said they wanted to repay Scott for his service.
“I think it is a nice thing to do because they gave to our country, and we should give back to them,” said Mariella Dreiling, 10.
Eva Betz, just 6, said of making the quilt, “It was fun, and it was nice.”
Keeli Kimzey, 10, said, “I just think it would be nice. They do a lot for us, keeping us safe and stuff, so I think we need to do something to show our appreciation for them.”
Haselhorst has been a long-time quilter and thought Quilts of Valor would be a way to give back.
“I love to quilt, and I think that if everybody does just a little bit, you know the worlds just gets a little bit better,” she said. “A friend of mine was telling me about this Quilts of Valor, and I thought this would be a great way to do more for everybody.”
Haselhorst urged other families to nominate friends and loved ones for quilts. If a veteran or active duty service person lives in another community or state, someone from a chapter in that area will be charged with making a quilt. The Kansas Grateful Stitchers serve Ellis, Rooks, Rush and Russell counties.
To nominate someone for a quilt, go to the Quilts of Valor national page and click on Request a Quilt of Valor under the Take Action tab. You can also donate using credit card or PayPal through the website.
Money for the materials for the quilts, which are usually done in patriotic patterns and colors, are purchased with locally donated funds.
The Kansas Grateful Stitchers chapter will be awarding more quilts during the RPM Speedway Military Appreciation night on Aug. 25.
If you would like to join the group, you can connect with the Stitchers on Facebook. They meet once a month on a Monday at Quilt Corral in LaCrosse. The group is looking for a second location to meet once a month on a Saturday.