American Legion Auxiliary member’s quilts award military veterans
Donna McCain presents a Quilt of Valor to retired Gunnery Sgt. Anthony J. Allen, United States Marine Corps, on Veterans Day 2023. (American Legion Auxiliary Unit 104/Contributed)

After moving to Pamplin in 2013, Donna McCain began quilting to keep herself busy in retirement. Around the same time, she joined American Legion Auxiliary Unit 104 in Appomattox and quickly became an active member.

McCain started creating Quilts of Valor in 2014 and has made and presented 88 quilts since that time. According to the Quilts of Valor Foundation, a Quilt of Valor is a quality, handmade quilt that is machine or hand quilted. It is awarded to a service member or veteran who has been touched by war.

The quilt says unequivocally, "Thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation." To use the term Quilt of Valor, the quilt must be a specific size, have a label with required information, awarded (it is not a gift) and recorded.

Unit 104 President Linda Mays said McCain started out by giving quilts to World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veterans who were active in American Legion Post 104.

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