Two Surprised Vets

As we are approaching our nation's celebration of Veterans Day, this seemed a good time to thank my friend Val in California who gave my husband and me a very special surprise last week.

We had visited Val to finally meet face to face and to thank her for all she has done for Wrap-A-Smile over the years.  We met the crew who helps her, and also saw her sewing studio where she also proudly showed us quilts in progress for Veterans.  She is very active with the Elks and had made a quilt for each of the 5 branches of service, to be given to 5 lucky veterans at the upcoming Elks Veterans Luncheon. Val definitely keeps busy!

After we had headed off to Yosemite, I received a text message about how many nights we planned to be at our hotel there......"she might want to take a drive"...   I couldn't think of anything we had left behind but did offer to go back through Stockton on our return to the San Francisco airport.  I was told not to change any plans, and besides, "that wouldn't be a surprise".    Hmmmmm....

So after a wonderful day with my brother and sister-in-law touring in Yosemite, we returned to our hotel which unfortunately was in an area where PG&E chose to shut off the power.  We entered our  hotel room at dusk to find two shiny bags lighting up the room.  Yup, quilts!!

Two Navy quilts, made for two Navy veterans, hand delivered via a 4-hour roundtrip drive from Stockton.  We were stunned!!!  What a special gift from a very special friend.

I have the Navy to thank for my dental education and was proud to wear a Navy uniform as I paid back that gift.  Husband Steve is a Naval Academy graduate with tours that were more of a sacrifice than what I was asked to do.  We met in the Navy and would probably have stayed for full careers if they could have stationed us together.  That was not to be, but we have fond memories.

Thank you, Val, for your wonderful gifts! She describes them as perfect length for a recliner....and they do fit perfectly.