Story by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="240" caption="Mark Grant and David Orange are responsible for the creation of the Survivor's of American Heroes quilt."]
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- A unique quilt honors the memory of fallen Kentucky troops and pays tribute to their Families.
The “Survivors of American Heroes” quilt was commissioned by the Kentucky National Guard's Survivor's Outreach Services as a symbol of the Guard's dedication to the families of Soldiers and Airmen who have died in service to our nation.
Retired Chief Master Sgt. David Orange works with the SOS program. He is also responsible for the quilt's design
"We wanted something that honored the fallen members of all our armed forces," said Orange. "The idea of a quilt has been very popular with military families, so it seemed natural to combine the two."
The prototype quilt was put together by Quilters Alley of Paducah, Ky. and measures four by six feet. The design includes an American flag background with a ribbon bar depicting the service stars associated with the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. Embroidered words proclaiming “Survivors of American Heroes” and “Because Someone Cared” send a clear message of gratitude.
"It's made in Kentucky by Kentuckians for Kentuckians," said Orange.
"That quilt is very impressive," said retired Chief Master Sgt. Mark Grant, who works with Orange in the SOS program. "We think it's going to attract a lot of positive attention and give our survivor families some comfort when they attend our events."
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="192" caption="The first Survivors of American Heroes Quilt was "made in Kentucky by Kentuckians for Kentuckians.""]
The new quilt will make its formal debut this weekend in Louisville when Churchill Downs and Humana Military hosts the second annual Survivors Day at the Races, a gathering of more than 350 surviving family members of fallen Kentucky uniformed service members.
For more information about the quilt’s design and manufacturing as well as Survivor’s Outreach Services, please contact David Orange at 502-607-1099 or e-mail him at
david.orange@us.army.mil.