A Tradition of Service and Gratitude: Montana Honor Quilts Come to Flathead County
Long before military support organizations and formal recognition programs existed, Americans found ways to support those serving on the battlefield. During the Civil War, women organized local aid societies to collect supplies for soldiers, including handmade quilts and blankets. These efforts were not simply acts of charity. They were a practical extension of the war effort, connecting communities at home with the men fighting miles away. Some quilts even carried handwritten messages of encouragement, patriotic inscriptions, and reminders that the soldiers had not been forgotten.
That tradition of recognizing military service through quilting continued through subsequent generations. Following World War I, American Legion Auxiliary members made quilts featuring poppies, a symbol associated with the battlefields of France and Belgium, to honor returning veterans and raise money for their support. More recently, national organizations such as Quilts of Valor, established in 2003, have carried the tradition forward by presenting handmade quilts to veterans whose lives have been touched by military service and combat.
In Montana, that tradition continues through the work of Montana Honor Quilts, an all-volunteer organization dedicated to recognizing veterans and first responders through handcrafted quilts.
At a recent Montana Association of Counties (MACo) conference, Flathead County Commissioner Pam Holmquist received four honor quilts on behalf of Flathead County. The presentation carried a personal connection. For years, Holmquist had quietly collected and donated patriotic fabric remnants to the volunteers making these quilts. What began as a simple contribution of materials ultimately became part of a larger effort to recognize those who have served.
Montana Honor Quilts is led by an all-volunteer board consisting of Peggy Bourassa, Dawn Brockel, Marlys Lee, Nancy Schaefer, and Marg Simenson. Their work involves more than assembling fabric. Each quilt represents donated materials, hours of skilled labor, and a deliberate effort to recognize individuals whose service deserves acknowledgment. The organization provides a tangible way for Montanans to express appreciation for the men and women who have served their country and communities.
With four quilts entrusted to Flathead County, the goal was to place them where they could be shared with local veterans and organizations serving the veteran community. Four presentations were arranged across the valley.
Recognizing Service in Whitefish
At Lion Mountain VFW Post 276 in Whitefish, Commissioner Holmquist presented an honor quilt alongside Post Commander Eric Henson and local veterans Tom McClain, U.S. Army Artillery, and John Wise, U.S. Air Force.
Veterans organizations such as the VFW provide an important connection for those who have served, offering fellowship, advocacy, and opportunities to remain involved in their communities. The quilt presented at the post serves as a recognition of that service and the continued contributions veterans make long after their military careers have ended.
Honoring Veterans at the Montana Veterans Home
The second quilt was presented at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls in recognition of the veterans who call the facility home. During the visit, Holmquist spent time with residents Walter Deets, Mac McPhee, and Victor Holmberg, all of whom served in the U.S. Navy.
The presentation recognized not only these three veterans, but the broader population of men and women who have served and now reside at the facility.
Joren Underdahl, administrator of the Montana Veterans Home, spoke to the significance of the recognition:
"An Honor Quilt is more than fabric and thread. It is a symbol of gratitude, patriotism, and remembrance, honoring the courage and sacrifice of our veterans and strengthening the bond between our community and those who served."
A Tribute in Bigfork
At Bigfork VFW Post 4042, the presentation took place in front of the post's twin September 11 remembrance stones. The post recently completed extensive landscaping improvements to its grounds, including an outdoor area near the back tributary.
Local veterans Mike Stone, U.S. Navy and Army; Mike Shepard, U.S. Army; Steve Gordon, U.S. Navy; and Tom Rozinka, U.S. Air Force and Navy, gathered for the presentation.
The location provided a fitting backdrop. The September 11 memorial stones commemorate the lives lost in the terrorist attacks and the events that followed, including the generations of military members and first responders who answered the call to serve. For the veterans gathered there, the recognition represented a connection between their own service and a larger chapter in our nation's history.
Continuing the Tradition in Kalispell
The final quilt was presented at the Kalispell VFW to local veterans Logan Hakes, U.S. Marine Corps, and Al Miller, U.S. Army.
Their service represents different branches and generations of the American military, but both share the same commitment to answering their country's call. Their recognition brought the four-quilt distribution effort to a close, placing all four quilts with veterans and veteran organizations throughout Flathead County.
A Tradition Worth Continuing
The history of honor quilts reflects something fundamental about American communities: recognizing service is not solely the responsibility of government or military institutions. It is also a responsibility of the people who benefit from that service.
From the women who organized Civil War-era soldiers' aid societies to today's volunteer quilting organizations, Americans have repeatedly found ways to support those who serve. The materials and methods may change, but the purpose remains consistent: to acknowledge service, remember sacrifice, and ensure that those who answered the call are not overlooked.
Montana Honor Quilts carries that tradition forward through the work of volunteers who give their time and skill to recognize veterans and first responders across the state. Commissioner Holmquist's years of fabric donations are another example of how individual contributions can become part of a larger community effort.
The organization welcomes nominations for deserving local veterans and first responders. To nominate someone or learn more about supporting its work, contact Montana Honor Quilts at or (406) 690-2049.
To Peggy Bourassa, Dawn Brockel, Marlys Lee, Nancy Schaefer, Marg Simenson, and everyone who contributes materials, time, and craftsmanship, thank you for keeping this tradition alive.
And to the veterans of Flathead County: your service is part of our nation's history and our community's story. We are proud to recognize it.