To the Editor:
Thank you to Lucy Martin for her wonderful support in helping me try to reach out to Whitefield’s military folks (“Whitefield Bicentennial Quilt square to honor troops,” page 1B, LCN 2/19/09). I know that her article means a lot to others, be they from our town or not, for in remembering Whitefield’s troops, we remember their other brothers and sisters in harm’s way.
I am sure that I represent many others when I write, “Thank you so very much!”
I would like to clarify that the blue is our own daughter Joy’s favorite color; she is currently serving in the regular Army. The Johnny jump-ups signify her memory of my father, John F. Safin (WWII), especially while she was in basic training and, later, deployed.
Both he and my husband trained at Ft. Jackson, SC, the same post where Joy did her basic training and AIT.
For those who may not get to see the quilt: the top center square has a dove for Peace. The bottom center has a chickadee (Maine’s bird) with pine (warm friendship and a variation of spiritual strength), holly (good will), and holly berries (protection).
The last square has hand-written letters, journals, etc., to signify the letters exchanged between our troops and loved ones/friends…not the letters that are electronic (important though they be), unless printed/copied, but the ones that can be carefully folded in and unfolded over and over until the time of return.
There is also a small square of a pansy for ‘constant loving thoughts’.
I hope to find that our mail will soon increase in volume!
Leila Haddad, Whitefield
