This group is making handmade quilts for various veteran's residences
to keep the memory of a young soldier killed in action in Afghanistan alive.

The Northeast Veteran's Outreach Center here in Haverhill, Mass. currently shelters approx. 60 veterans. Twenty two quilts were given to the first residence on Feb. 6, 2004, a very happy day for all concerned. To date(09/03/09)504 twin sized quilts have been delivered to all the veteran's residences in Haverhill,Leominster, Fitchburg,Lowell,Winchendon,Roxbury,Dorchester,MA,Fitzwilliam,NH., TheVA,West Roxbury,and Liberty House in NH.
Groundbreaking for a new 10 bed apartment complex named in honor of PFC Evan W. O'Neill,age 19,who was killed on 9/29/03 in Shkin, Afghanistan, fighting the global war on terrorism commenced on Feb 27th 2004, and was dedicated on 11/20/04 The new building is the "Evan W. O'Neill Memorial Hall. Each bedroom had a quilt on their bed to welcome them prior to occupancy, and ten new veterans moved into their apartments on March 1,2005. We also keep a few in reserve just in case the census at our Haverhill residences changes.

By keeping his memory alive in our hearts and minds, all the local veterans will receive warmth and comfort from a handmade quilt. My goal is that no veteran will ever be cold again.

"To The Top,All The Way-Climb to Glory" is the 1/87th 10th Mtn. Div's. motto and it best describes Evan's life. He was an extremely giving person and always put everyone else's needs before his own. This was best witnessed by the Medevac pilots who tried to save him as he refused all treatment until he knew the other guys in his squad who were injured were taken care of.

I spoke with Evan the day before he died and the strong message that came thru loud and clear was that it was very dark and very cold in Afghanistan at nite. Though I can't do too much about the light, if I can create a quilt that will keep a veteran warm at nite then half the battle is won.

1-4-3 Evan!
MOM