November, 2004

Volume 3, Number 6

I hope this Newsletter Finds you all well. The trees here in Maine are bare and the skies tell stories of the snow to come.

New York-

In September the Heart of America Quilt traveled to New York City for the first time. At first it seemed as though the city might swallow us up, but the spirit of the quilt and the volunteers shined for the world to see with the help of the Intrepid Museum. As we struggled with floods on the ship and space problems, the volunteers from all over the world stood strong in their dedication to show the quilt on your behalf. I was proud to stand beside them, as proud as I was of the work you have done on the quilt.

On the first day as we moved the quilt from space to space with the help of Alaska, New York, VA, Maine and Australia, I moved toward a man who was asking for me. After he told me of his 6 hour journey to see the quilt, we spoke of his daughter. Mr. Patti was on the phone with her when this cell phone expelled the sounds of many as the WTC went to a crumbling mass upon the ground. He heard the sounds. Mr. Patti and his wife traveled to see the panel dedicated to his daughter. The panel that is graced with her picture. They posed with such dignaty for pictures, they held my hand and hugged me, they met Tamera and Jean and changed us all with their spirit. I told them how beautiful their daughter was and they replied "we know". The panel came alive placed beside so many others and her picture was placed in my hand by them. She now has a place in the quilt and its scrap book.

While the quilt has become so large as an object and organization that I do not have the individual time that I did at the start, the New York Showing gave me time with a few of our volunteers and performers. I can tell you that the people I was blessed to work with would have amazed you all. They worked hard and showed a care for each other that was enough to take your breath away. Each of them a great assest to this organization and a gift on its journey and mine.

NM-

October sent the quilt and myself on yet another travel. This time we headed west for the first time. The Alburquerque International Balloon Fiesta® hosted us with the help of A1 Sewing and Vacuume, Marriott Pyramid North and Mrs. Mary Elder.

We entered the Balloon fiesta field and I worked with many in uniform to display the quilt. It was an honor to be shoulder and shoulder with some of America’s finest and brave. I am always left in amazement when I see the pictures after an event. You see when you are in the midst of the work, you really have no idea what it looks like from afar. When I saw the pictures of these fine men and women displaying your hard work, stopping to breath when they realized what they were holding, standing guard of fabric filled with more care then anyone can imagine, I cried. As I was led to the stage I was followed by a sweet reporter who said she knew why "they" had me be in charge because of my loud voice as I ran to my seat and still was guiding the crew of volunteers. I stood on stage and fumbled my words in the presence of many as my speech tripped from my toung with tears streaming down my cheeks. "The men and women that stand before us today, honored by this service are heroes in every sense. Thank you, each of you, for my right to vote, my right to read what I please, my right to worship my God, for my very right to be here today is due to your bravery."

It was an honor I will not soon forget. Thanks to them all and to Mary Elder, Patti Garcia and Raymond Elder for all their hard work and hosting me and the many boxes of fabric I travel with.

May your holidays be filled with Joy that can only come from an inner peace and a life filled with family and friends,

For more information about the NY and NM events, please visit www.HeartOfAmericaQuilt.com/events.htm

The Directors of the Heart of America Quilt:

Susan Morissette, President

Colonel K Steven Collier, US Army Retired

Tamera Selhaver, Survivor, G1 Pentagon

http://www.HeartofAmericaQuilt.com/donation.htm

State Representatives- Washington D.C. area

Grant writers- Work done via internet. Able to do in any area. Works on percentage with direct supervision by President of organization.

International Affairs Director- We have been contacted by many organizations and schools from other countries. Needed is a volunteer able to organize their care. Will include direct contact with organizations and reporting to directors.

Volunteers- the heart of our organization, the very people that make it work! We need volunteers in all states to help organize educational programs and giving holidays.

Fundraisers- We need your help to raise the funds to make it all possible! The Heart of America Quilt is a small organization working to help teach the art of working together. We make Big impressions, but work on a very small budget. We need help raising funds to provide services and continue to spread our reach of the helping hand.

Thank you to some of our performers for the New York Event! Molly Fitzpatrick, Selfish Steam, Daniel Lemaster, and Shari Roat, Keff Dolan. Thank you for donating your time and talents to the Heart of America Quilt!

Thank you to our New York Volunteers! Mike, Janet and Maryellen all get hats tipped to them!

Please feel free to contact us. Heart of America Quilt Incorporated 7 First St. Winslow Maine 04901 is our mailing address. At this time there is no public visiting time. For email, please contact admin@HeartofAmericaQuilt.com and you can always visit our website at www.HeartofAmericaQuilt.com

www.operationpencilbox.com

www.keffdolan.com

www.delpadre.com

www.modestneeds.org

www.selfishsteam.net