QOVF celebrated another award milestone recently by awarding the 350,000th Quilt of Valor ® to Representative Jason Crow (CO-06), a former Army Ranger and Bronze Star Recipient. QOVF area leaders gathered to honor and award Rep. Crow his Quilt of Valor on May 4, 2023 at his local congressional office in Aurora, Colorado.
Rep. Crow began his military career in the National Guard. After graduating from college, he joined the active duty Army and served our country in three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Rep. Crow rose to the rank of Captain and was decorated for his actions during the Battle of Samawah.
After his military service, Rep. Crow served on the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs from 2009 to 2014. In 2019, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Colorado’s 6th District, where he continues to serve.
Rep. Crow’s Quilt of Valor was made by Sue McCormick, member of the Front Range QOVF group. Sandra Lazaroff, Colorado State Coordinator and Front Range QOVF Group Leader, conducted the ceremony. Other area leaders in attendance were Bob Lazaroff, Front Range QOVF member; Debbie Patterson, Lois Wagneck, and Connie Johnson from the Windsor Gardens QOVF group, and Lori Thompson, QOVF Executive Director.
Rep. Crow shared closing remarks at the ceremony, telling the story of how different cultures support their soldiers. He relayed how in Native American cultures warriors are celebrated and were encouraged to share their experiences with all members of the tribe. In contrast these days, many soldiers here in the U.S. don’t have the opportunity or support to share about their experiences. He encouraged QOVF members to continue to provide comfort and healing for our service members and veterans.
QOVF will continue to celebrate the 350,000th QOV milestone by encouraging QOVF groups to make and award an honorary quilt to a veteran of their choice. Groups and members are encouraged to share their stories by emailing 350QOV@qovf.org. QOVF will be collecting the stories and creating a historical record.