Freedom Quilts Receives Steel and Soil from Ground Zero

Through the years, have dedicated time, love and compassion in our goal to assure every 911 victim's family receives a quilt in honor of their loved one. In return, so many of these families have reached out to us and have given us the warmest of thank you's.

We are also deeply grateful to have received some very special honors. We were honored to add our stitch and help repair the National 9/11 Flag that was found at Ground Zero. The National Memorial Museum of 911 accepted one of our5 original quilts -- War Paint -- to be on display at the museum. And, we have been deeply honored to receive an urn of soil and a piece of steel from Ground Zero.

We cherish the kindness family members have extended to us, and we keep these sacred items on safe display so visitors to the Freedom Quilts shop can remember... Remember the lives that were lost on 911 and remember the need to comfort those who have lost a loved one.

The Battle Cross: Remembering the meaning and importance

On April 2, 2011, Freedom Quilts hosted a special memorial event at the Freedom Quilts shop in honor of three soldiers and one 9/11 firefighter’s family. During the ceremony, a Battle Cross Memorial was performed in honor and memory our lost heroes.

Perhaps you've seen the Battle Cross before -- combat boots, a rifle, helmet and dog tags. But were you aware of the meaning behind the Battle Cross?

When a serviceman or woman is lost in the battlefield, it has become customary to arrange their rifle pointing downward along with their boots and helmet. Surviving members of their squad gather around and memorialize their fallen comrades. Some of the troops will pray, others might recall personal stories, but make no mistake, this is a ceremony that is taken very seriously. Every soldier knows the next ceremony might be for them.

When a rifle with bayonet is downward into the ground, it is a memorial of a soldier killed in action. It also signals a time for prayer, a break in the action to pay tribute to our friend and hero.

Dog tags identify the soldier's name so he or she will never be forgotten.

The helmet is also a symbol of this great sacrifice.

Combat boots represents the final march of the soldier last battle.

May we stand together in honor and memory of our fallen heroes.