If you’ve been a 4Patriots customer for any length of time, you know how important U.S. veterans, active-duty troops and their families are to us.
A vast majority of our financial and product donations – made possible by your purchases – go to organizations that support American military members and their families.
We believe these brave men and women are deserving of so much more than they receive after risking their lives to protect ours.
That’s why we feel it is both our responsibility and privilege to serve them after they’ve served us. And we believe the best way to do that is through contributions to reputable organizations established to do exactly that.
Tracing roots to 1919
As you know, yesterday was Veterans Day. Originally known as Armistice Day, it’s a day on which we honor military veterans who have served in the U.S. armed forces. It was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.
The first Armistice Day was November 11, 1919. In President Woodrow Wilson’s address to the nation, following the end of World War I, he said this:
“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service, and with gratitude for the victory.”
In 1947, the day was expanded to celebrate all U.S. veterans, not only those who died during World War I.
Veterans share a special bond
This year, in addition to our financial donations, 4Patriots decided to honor U.S. veterans by creating the short video above. I hope you’ll spend a few minutes watching it.
We interviewed U.S. veteran Andrew Lee for this video, highlighting his quilt-making work on behalf of other veterans.
Andrew, who served his country for 20 years, starts off by describing what the word “veteran” means to him.
“Veteran, I believe, means that we, as veterans, endured something together that only us, veterans, can relate to. Filling sand bags, digging foxholes, sitting on a tarmac for eight hours, waiting for a bird to come pick you up…”
He adds, “Being a civilian after being military for so long is tough. And it’s hard to transition to cuddly, touchy-feely, sensitive people. But I thought that this was my opportunity to do something to help myself.”
Combat Quilter displays patriotism
Surprisingly, that “something” turned out to be sewing. “I really feel that sewing allowed me to just completely compartmentalize and leave that stuff in the back of my mind,” he said.
But Andrew didn’t select sewing as merely a way to distract himself. He discovered a much higher purpose for this activity.
He began sewing patriotic quilts to give to veterans.
Andrew, also known as the “Combat Quilter,” has now completed 157 quilts, most of which are patriotic in nature.
Yes, you do deserve it
“What I did not realize was, when I awarded my first quilt of valor to a veteran… out of his mouth came, ‘I don’t deserve this.’
“My response to him was, ‘Mr. Carpenter, if you don’t deserve a quilt, neither does anybody else. You didn’t ride on a tank or in a jeep or jump out of an airplane. You walked into Normandy. Walked.’
“In that moment, I actually truly felt raw, pure emotion. Because when you’re giving or awarding a quilt to a veteran, they are broken and battered the same that you are.
“And now you don’t have to have some preconceived idea of how to form a bond. You just did it.”
If you’re looking for a way to honor our nation’s veterans…
Right now, through 11/15, when you stock up on Liberty Band Solar Radios during our Veterans Day event, you’ll help us TRIPLE our donation to Operation Homefront and give hundreds of meals to military families. All while being a hero to your own family.
