POULSBO — Jay Humphries stood before the crowd of students and staff members at Gateway Christian School’s Peterson Hall and told of his experience as a military gunner, sniper and medic in Iraq.
In April 1991, while deployed there, he stepped on a land mine. “I lost both legs, one eye, the other eye was badly injured,” he said.
It took him eight months to recover. He is a Purple Heart recipient. Now a design engineer for a prosthetics manufacturer, Humphries was honored by the school Nov. 5 and presented with a Quilt of Valor made by Gateway second-grade teacher Linda Hemry as part of the Quilt of Valor Foundation.
“I’m really honored to be invited here and asked to share,” said Humphries, father of Gateway kindergartener Olivia Norberg Humphries. “I’m a loss for words. This [quilt] is so beautiful.”
Students and staff honored military parents with a special Veterans Day chapel presentation celebrating service and valor, in Peterson Hall.
Upon retiring from the military in 1992, Humphries pursued engineering. He works for True Life, a Poulsbo-based manufacturer of prosthetics. “We make thousands and thousands of feet for people here,” Humphries said.
Hemry said 125,976 quilts have been presented to veterans around the country through the Quilts of Valor Foundation. “Today, we would like to award number 125,975 to Jay Humphries.”
Hemry has been making quilts of valor for the last few years, honoring veterans associated with the schools. “Who doesn’t love a quilt?” Hemry asked. She said she has always loved to sew, but later realized that she wanted to use her passion to give back.
“Our servicemen are so valuable,” Hemry said. “This is a tangible reminder of the deep appreciation we have for our service and country.”
The pattern in Humphries’ quilt is called, “Standing Strong,” and the quilt has a wool lining, Hemry said. “It’s very warm and even has a cross on the back. I love absolutely every part of it.”
The Gateway Girl Scout troop presented the flags and led the salutes, and the student body sang the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” The Navy woodwind quintet performed the National Anthem.
Cmdr. Steve Wilkinson told students the significance of the U.S. flag. He was very surprised to receive a quilt himself (number 125,976), honoring him for his 33 years in service.
The Quilt of Valor Foundation was founded during the Gulf War by Catherine Roberts, whose son was deployed. She wanted returning warriors to be welcomed home with love and gratitude, so she developed a national foundation where men and women around the country could come together to sew quilts for those touched by war.
The Quilt of Valor Foundation requires quality materials be used in the making. Quilts must be made to a certain measurement and, as Hemry said, are “stitched with love and prayers of gratitude for those who protect America to keep it strong and free.” Each quilt is washable and meant to be used and enjoyed by those who receive them.
