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"Like a mother's loving arms, this quilt was created uniquely for you -- a hug for our hero. It is a gift of thanks for all that you've done to defend and protect us and what America stands for. This quilt is the unique symbol of the outpourings of love for you, to hold and comfort you for all times. It expresses the overwhelming feelings of pride, respect, gratitude, affection, and honor meant for you."

This is the greeting sewn on the back of the quilt Staff Sergeant Logan Ballew received upon arriving at the Bethesda Military Hospital in Maryland in August of 2006. The "God Bless America" quilt was sewn by his mother for her wounded son.

The quilt will make its debut with other contest quilts 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the City Arts Center at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds before the exhibit begins its three year tour of America.

Disarming a roadside bomb in Iraq, Ballew received the impact of the bomb when it exploded. The local military hospital personnel feared Ballew might die because of severe injuries to his left leg, spleen and intestines. They waited three days to notify Ballew's parents, not knowing whether they would be sending him back home in a body bag or to a hospital. Ballew flew to the Germany military hospital where they removed his spleen, repaired his intestines and tried to save his leg.

Ballew arrived two days later in Bethesda where a quilt made by a Quilts of Valor volunteer welcomed him. The Semper Fi Marine Corps group flew Joan Ballew and her husband to Bethesda and arranged for housing while they kept vigil and prayed over him during the first few weeks.

Quilter and Marine Mom Ballew has made many quilts through the Central Oklahoma Quilters' Association chapter of Quilts for Injured Soldiers. Upon arriving at Ballew's hospital bed, one of the first questions she asked was if he had received a quilt. He pointed to the closet where he had instructed the nurse to carefully store it out of harm's way.

When Joan Ballew asked what he thought of the gift, Ballew expressed how humbled, honored and encouraged he felt to receive such a treasure.

"It was a piece of home and source of strength and comfort when I was down that lifted my spirits," he said.

"I excitedly unfolded the bright quilt and caressed the stitches of comfort some volunteer quilter had spent hours making," said Joan Ballew. "I spread it over my Marine son hero as he slept to warm and cheer him when he awoke."

She looked up the quilt guild's name on the Internet and e-mailed them to thank them for showering her son with such love and appreciation for his sacrificial service to his country.

"Was I shocked when providentially I received an e-mail reply from the woman who made Ballew's quilt," Joan Ballew said. "We bonded instantly through subsequent e-mailings. She became my new quilting buddy when I most needed a friend to share my feelings of loneliness, fear and isolation while sitting at my son's bedside."

"We created these quilts as 'Hugs for Our Heroes' to give them hope and peace for their road ahead," Joan Ballew said. "A little piece of me goes out with each quilt I make."

Ballew's reward for her many hours of volunteer work comes from the "thank yous" they've received from wounded soldiers like this one: "When I get scared with the memories of war, I curl up in the quilt and everything goes away. It makes me and the hundreds of wounded I've seen feel better knowing there are people in the states who care about us and what we do. It makes me proud to be a soldier to hear from people who know what we're going through. Americans really care. To have a complete stranger show such an extreme act of kindness gives me hope that everything's going to be okay. There's so much love and a prayer in every stitch."

Ballew received a second and third quilt during his hospital stays in California and the Veterans Center in Norman.

After 14 months of painful physical therapy, progressing from wheel chair to walker to cane, Ballew now walks with a slight limp with the help of a concealed leg brace. Permanent nerve damage in his leg shattered Ballew's career dreams of serving his country in the Marines. He is, however, now adjusting well to civilian life with his part-time job in cabinetry in Norman.

There is no charge for the Patriotic Quilt Show and Contest sponsored by Buckboard Quilts and the Armed Forces Foundation. All profits from the $100 week-end rental and possible publication go to nonprofit groups who make quilts for wounded soldiers, Hugs for Heroes--Stitches of Comfort.

The 22x22" traditional and pictorial quilts made by children and adults capture the essence of "America the Beautiful" by paying tribute to our American Heroes and troops, depicting "Liberty and Justice for All" and expressing flag-waving loyalty to our "One Nation Under God."

Judy Howard, award-winning author and owner of www.BuckboardQuilts.com, is accepting quilt entries through December to tour the U.S. for three years. Howard is challenging all Betsy Rosses to arise and express their patriotism.

"With your help, we can blanket America with patriotic fervor and love of God and Country to help mend our torn nation," she said.

For a sneak preview and contest entry forms, calendar and exhibit rental contract, see www.HeavenlyPatchwork.com/centennial.