Freedom Quilt Gives Children A Voice In History

By Tanjua Damon

Amid all the negative news that has overwhelmed the United States in recent weeks, there are many in this country who are doing positive things to reassure children that the United States is still the home of the free and the brave.

Newtown resident Debbie Meyer decided to join the ranks of those committed to doing something positive for children in the midst of the crisis.

She has created a quilt, entitled “Let Freedom Ring,” that will be presented to First Lady Laura Bush. The idea of the quilt is to have all the children of Newtown sign it as a symbol of love and devotion to the United States of America and the freedom for which it stands.

Mrs Meyer decided to put the 12-foot by 10-foot quilt together after her son, David, was trying to figure out a way to deal with the tragedy of September 11.

“My son, he was so moved as everyone else was. One of the things that struck him very forcefully was the very young children who were being trained in these terrorist camps,” Mrs Meyer said. “He started talking about how lucky we are to be free. He became frustrated about how to express this.”

Mrs Meyer and David will be at the Fireside Inn on Route 25 in Newtown on Saturday, September 29, and Sunday, September 30, from 8 am to 2 pm so that children – infants through high school – can put their names on the Freedom Quilt. Parents can sign their child’s name if they cannot write or cannot make it to the signing. The quilt provides an opportunity for children to show their support.

“The plan is to present this to Mrs Bush because she has been so vitally concerned for the children of America,” Mrs Meyer said. “I want them to express their feelings.”

Mrs Meyer hopes that the quilt will make a positive mark on history so that children know the future is something to which to look forward.

“I see this as something historic for the town of Newtown, making its mark in these terrible times,” she said. “This is not a memorial. It’s for looking forward, a positive statement. What do they have but the future to look forward to. It’s a date in history. The time to do this is now. I think while the emotion is high and the frustration level doesn’t get any deeper.”

Many in the community have poured their hearts into helping the rescuers and their families. When something bad happens children usually look for a positive way to help, and Mrs Meyer thought giving children the opportunity to put their name on something would be a positive way to look toward the future in America.

“This is a love with a purpose,” Mrs Meyer said. “That is more important than your signature. I hope every child in Newtown will stop by and sign.”