They’re simple gestures, but ones full of meaning for those giving and receiving them.

Veterans around Knoxville were recognized for their service during the day on Monday, by their fellow veterans and other citizens. First, members of the American Legion posts in Knoxville and Melcher-Dallas went to nursing homes around town and presented the vets living there with certificates honoring their achievements, and gift packages created on their behalf.

Then veterans organizations gathered in the commons of Knoxville High School and presented nearly two dozen others who have served their country with hand-made quilts.

Quilts of Valor was first founded by Katherine Roberts in 2003; when her son was in the service, she had a dream about a serviceman sitting on a bed, first by himself and seemingly alone…and then draped with a quilt, and looking stronger. This inspired her to begin making and providing quilts to veterans around the country.

Marcia Grimm is with Quilts of Valor; she tells KNIA/KRLS News what was literally a dream has become a successful reality and a source of hope.

“It’s a good dream she had; and it’s prospered. We’ve awarded more than 200,000 quilts across the nation through Quilts of Valor, the foundation,” Grimm says. “It’s a non-profit organization, 501(c) 3…all the quilts are made voluntarily, they’re pieced voluntarily, they’re quilted voluntarily, and they’re awarded to veterans, deserving veterans.”

Dick Reed from the VFW in Knoxville says these quilts prove to the service members who receive them people still care, and they aren’t alone.

“It’s fantastic; I didn’t know before this that it even existed,” Reed says. “Everybody volunteers their time to sew the quilts; Marcia sewed all of them for this, and takes an enormous amount of time. She donates her time and money for this. It’s fantastic that people care that much they’ll do that.”

Reed says these quilts not only mark the service each of the recipients put in, but serve to remind them they are not alone, and the work they did for their country isn’t forgotten.