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Quilters to honor veterans, host annual Arts Center show

Los Banos Enterprise (CA) - 8/28/2015

Aug. 24--Judy West and the rest of the Hometown Heroes/Pumpkin Patch of Quilts organizers sometimes have to coax local veterans and their families into receiving recognition.

"They often feel like they don't deserve that honor," West said while describing the reluctance of some veterans to be praised for their military service.

This year, the Los Banos Arts Council Quilters is hard at work preparing quilts for its Sept. 12 presentation at 9 a.m. at the Ted Falasco Art Center, 1105 Fifth St. An estimated 10-12 combat veterans and their families are expected to be presented bedspreads. Typically most of the quilts have a patriotic theme -- plenty of red, white and blue fabric has been used by the group in the past.

The quilters try to honor at least one veteran posthumously each year. Last year Darwin Nelson, a World War II B-17 bomber pilot, was the deceased veteran chosen. His widow Marge Nelson and son Dan accepted the quilt.

"We're very proud," Dan Nelson said following the 2014 ceremony. "We didn't hear from him about his service until his later years, so we grew up not knowing he was a hero."

The idea to recognize local veterans who have served in combat zones came about in 2012 when some local quilters learned of Quilts of Valor, a national organization that recognizes veterans' contributions.

More than 40 Los Banos veterans have been honored by the local quilting group.

Following the Hometown Heroes ceremony the two-day Pumpkin Patch of Quilts will begin. The quilt show will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 12 and Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $7 and proceeds benefit the Los Banos Arts Council.

"There's going to be lots and lots of quilts, at least 100," West said. "We'll have table-size, (bed-size) and everything in between."

The quilt show is in its seventh year. Last year's event attracted more than 100 people.

Corey Pride can be reached by phone at (209) 826-3831, ext. 6563 or by email at cpride@losbanosenterprise.com.

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(c)2015 the Los Banos Enterprise (Los Banos, Calif.)

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