Hugs and salutes are simple gestures. Hugs express love and sometimes provide comfort. Salutes convey respect and can show gratitude.

Those at the Quilts of Valor presentation Friday morning at Stitchin’ Heaven in Quitman witnessed these meaningful motions in their sincerest forms.

It is through the quilts presented to 15 U.S. armed forces veterans that  hugs, both figurative and literal, were given to U.S. Army veterans Tyler Brown, Bill Bradley, Gerald Smith, Dwight Deatherage, Dana Hobbs, Floyd Stowe and Cecil Tuck; U.S. Air Force veterans Rosalind Russell and Drew Mason; U.S. Navy veterans Raymond Williams, Erin Mason, Christi Billman, Barbara Melott, Dr. James “Doc” Melott; and U.S. Marine veteran Mark Darrell.

“Quilts are comfort; quilts are love,” says Suzanne DiCarlo, Texas coordinator for Quilts of Valor.

DiCarlo remarked that the quilts send “a three-part message from our heart: first, we honor you for your service and for leaving all that you hold dear to stand in harms way in a time of crisis to protect us from the effects of war.

“Second, we quilters know that freedom is not free. The cost of freedom is the dedication of lives of men and women like you, so this quilt is our way to say thank you for your sacrifices.

“And third, this quilt is meant to offer you comfort and healing. It serves as a reminder that you are forever in our thoughts and our hearts. Our idea is that when you experience dark times, memories or need the warmth of a grateful hug, you will wrap your quilt around you so that it can provide you the comfort we’ve sewn into every seem.”

Following the wrapping of quilts around 15 veterans’ shoulders, 11 who served in the Vietnam War were presented with presidential proclamations and lapel pins commemorating its 50th anniversary.

DiCarlo described the pins in detail, adding, “It’s a little late, but we do want to recognize – and we do want to say, ‘welcome home,’” which was met by hearty applause.

The veterans were thankful and moved.

“It was a complete and total surprise, it’s very humbling.” stated Doc Melott. The Navy Seabee continued, “The word ‘appreciate’ doesn’t fully cover it, and I can’t think of other words to express…”

“Gratitude,” his wife Barbara Melott, RN, PHN added.

Doc Melott felt the need to express his gratitude and appreciation and he, “had to do something.”

After seeking permission to address the room, he gave an order of present arms and a hand salute to the Quilts of Valor folks and those at Stitchin’ Heaven.

“Veterans, attention. Present arms,” commanded Melott. All veterans present and able, following Melott’s order, saluted.

“This is our salute to you ladies and gentleman, thank you very much. Ready, two. Thank you very much, soldiers.”

It was a profound, powerful moment punctuation by applause.

Later, Doc Melott reflected, “I couldn’t think of anything else than to present arms to these ladies and thank them. So far everybody has thanked me for doing that. One fellow said ‘You expressed all my appreciation in one move.’ That’s all that matters.”

On this day, that appreciative articulation was paramount.

DiCarlo’s brother was a marine in Vietnam and she watched him suffer for 52 years after returning, “My big brother, my hero.”

She has seen the comfort and healing these quilts do. “I knew that this would be my mission. God gave me a talent and I make these…to comfort and heal our veterans, to let them know we Americans are grateful.”

This Veterans Day, these veterans knew.

Barbara Melott felt being wrapped in her quilt was, “like my heart was open and love was poured in. It’s very touching.”

Darrell, “the Quilting Marine,” suffers from PTSD and says building quilts serves as treatment for him. He doesn’t keep quilts, he gives them away.

“I just give them to veterans first – they’re loved ones. So, this hit hard. This is the only quilt that I have for me. So you can understand, I felt it,” expressed Darrell.

The Masons appreciate the love and time that went into the quilts. It was more emotional than Erin Mason thought it would be. Knowing that someone put so much effort into making the quilts for them, she noted that, “A quilt takes a lot of hours. For it to be gifted to you is pretty remarkable.”

Drew Mason found the quilts comforting and voiced, “It’s nice to know that people are looking out for us still.”

Brown felt mixed emotions, having lost a couple of friends this year who passed away from complications from burn pits, “so today’s another hard day thinking about them. My mom’s a quilter so I know what goes into these things and it’s appreciated. It’s hard to put into words for something like this.”

For some, words are not necessary. A simple gesture can suffice and may mean the world – or just, “Thank you.”