COLUMBIA, S.C. — Years after they served our country, a group of veterans was honored with handmade quilts on Saturday.
It was a day to pay homage at the governor's mansion as the Garden Club of South Carolina hosted a veteran ceremony. The ceremony ended with a unique experience for veterans, as the Quilts of Valor organization honored service members.
Richard Mullinax, a chaplain and presenter with Quilts of Valor, said that in the last 20 years, they've given away more than 300,000 handmade quilts to veterans.
"Twenty-two veterans a day commit suicide. They give up on life because they feel like nobody understands; nobody cares," he said. "Of course, there's healing in talking, and this quilt gives them an opportunity to tell their story over and over again."
The event had prayers, moments of silence, and an Army band. Governor Henry McMaster and Congressman Joe Wilson were in attendance. Eleven veterans were given quilts, and presenters read a summary of their service to the audience.
David Haught, who received a quilt, served 15 years in the Army.
"It feels good that there are people who care and are willing to do small gestures like this," he said.
According to Mullinax, the quilts offer an opportunity to spread awareness.
Ron Griffin served 21 years between the Navy and the Air Force. He was given a quilt as well but used the time to remember his brothers and sisters lost to war.
"There's over 81,000 men and women that served that still never made it home, and their remains and everything haven't made it back to our county," he said.
John Tally Jr. received a medical honorable discharge and worked for the Army for 37 years at the Walter Reed Army Institute. He also received a quilt on Saturday and hopes the ceremony reminds people of the privilege of their freedom.
"Freedom is not free. Bloodshed, woundedness, death, it costs to be free," he said.