Quilts of Valor Requirements – Learn About the Process of Honoring Veterans with Handmade Quilts

Understanding the Requirements to Nominate a Veteran for a Quilt of Valor

The Quilts of Valor Foundation’s mission is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. However, to be eligible to receive a quilt, there are some basic requirements that must be met. In this article, I will explain the nomination process and eligibility criteria for Quilts of Valor to ensure any veteran you wish to nominate qualifies for this meaningful program.

Who Is Eligible to Be Nominated?

The most fundamental requirement is that the nominee must be a service member or veteran who has been touched by war. This includes those who served during wartime or in a war zone, whether they saw direct combat or not. Both living and deceased veterans are eligible to be honored.

In terms of branches of service, the Quilts of Valor Foundation accepts nominations for any member of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves. This includes all five military branches: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.

Veterans of allied countries are also eligible if they served alongside U.S. forces. For example, this would apply to veterans from Canada, the U.K., Australia and other allies. The foundation really aims to honor any individual impacted by their nation’s conflicts.

Requirements for Nomination

Once you have identified an eligible veteran, there are a few simple requirements for submitting a nomination:

1. The veteran’s name, contact information, branch of service, and dates of service must be provided.
2. A brief description of the veteran’s military service and how it impacted or touched them is requested.
3. The nominator’s name and contact details must also be included in case follow up is needed.

That’s really all that is required in terms of paperwork. The foundation does not request DD214 forms, awards citations, or other supporting documentation at the nomination stage. The main goal is to honor the service of all those affected by war, not police small criteria intricacies.

From my experience working with veterans, many are humble about their service and reluctant to accept recognition. But receiving a Quilt of Valor can provide meaningful closure and validation for sacrifices made long ago. It may also open lines of communication for family members to learn more about their loved one’s military experience.

How to Submit a Nomination

Nominations can conveniently be submitted online at the Quilts of Valor Foundation website. Simply visit www.qovf.org and click the “Nominate a Veteran” button. You will be guided through a short nomination form to provide the basic details about the veteran and your contact information.

Alternatively, paper nomination forms can be printed from the website and mailed in. Whichever submission method you choose, the foundation aims to process nominations within 4-6 weeks. They will then work to match the veteran with a volunteer group making quilts in their area.

Once complete, the quilt will be presented to the veteran, typically at an local award ceremony. Some groups even personalize the quilt with the nominee’s name, branch of service, or unit details. It is a heartwarming way to express gratitude for their sacrifice.

So in summary, the key requirements are that the veteran served during wartime or in a warzone, and basic contact details are provided in the nomination. The foundation wants to make the process as simple and accessible as possible to honor all who were affected by America’s conflicts. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Issues to Consider

While the nomination criteria aims to be inclusive, there are a few edge cases worth considering. For example, what if the details of a veteran’s service period are uncertain or undocumented? In these situations, the foundation advises nominating them anyway with the best available information. The goal is commemoration, not compliance.

For deceased veterans without immediate family, an individual simply needs to self-nominate as the point of contact. Likewise, if a group wishes to honor all veterans from a certain unit together, they can submit a single mass nomination with details of the intended recipients.

The one issue that occasionally arises is when a veteran modestly rejects the nomination, insisting they “didn’t do enough” to deserve recognition. From my experience advising veterans, I find it helpful to reassure them that no deed is too small when answering the nation’s call. Their service, in whatever capacity, allowed others to stay home in safety.

At the same time, the foundation ultimately defers to the wishes of the recipient. If after receiving a heartfelt nomination they still decline a quilt, their decision will be respected. The goal is providing comfort, not accolades, and each veteran’s journey deserves sensitivity and compassion.

Hope this helps provide a thorough understanding of the nomination process and requirements for Quilts of Valor. Their program aims to honor and wrapped in warmth all affected by America’s conflicts, regardless of military details. Please let me know if any part of the process remains unclear!

Quilt of Valor Recipient Requirements

FAQ

1. Who qualifies for a Quilt of Valor?

   Any military service member who has been touched by war can get a Quilt of Valor. This includes people currently serving in the armed forces and veterans from all U.S. wars.

   

2. What are the requirements?

   There aren’t really any specific requirements. Basically anyone who has been affected by war either directly through combat or indirectly through their service qualifies. The only thing is you have to be connected to the U.S. military in some way either now or in the past.

3. Do you need paperwork as proof?

   Nope, no paperwork is necessary. The goal is to honor all who serve whether they saw combat or not. If someone feels they were impacted by their time in the military, that’s enough. Perhaps it’s better we don’t question and just show our thanks.

4. How do you receive a Quilt of Valor?

   The easiest way is to check the Quilts of Valor Foundation website for upcoming presentations near you. Alternatively, you can contact your local Quilts of Valor chapter and see when they’ll be awarding quilts next. You can also talk to your friends – maybe someone’s mom or aunt knows other vets who could use some extra comfort.

5. Does the foundation make exceptions?

   On rare occasions, the Quilts of Valor folks will make an exception if someone feels they have a good reason to get one, but didn’t strictly serve during a time of conflict. Even if you don’t meet all the requirements, it never hurts to ask – the people who make these quilts have amazing hearts. Miracles do happen sometimes!

6. What if I live far away from chapters?

   If none are close to your home, the Quilts of Valor Foundation can help find other options. Perhaps a long-distance volunteer group may be willing to mail one to you. You could also check Facebook – wonder if any of those quilting clubs in other states would ship one as a kind gesture? Stranger things have happened! Nevertheless, distance shouldn’t prevent deserving vets from being honored.

7. Is there a cost?

   Nope, quilts awarded by the Foundation or its chapters are completely free. Local fundraisers and donations allow them to provide quilts to vets at no charge. How awesome is that? Sometimes good things really are free!

   

Does this FAQ help answer folks’ basic questions about Quilts of Valor requirements? Let me know if any part needs extra explanation or if you have additional questions. I’d be happy to clarify further!