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A D-Day Commemorative quilt – made and donated by Shirley Karlstrum – was presented in a brief ceremony in October to the Lt. Marion L. Willis Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 101 in Colorado Springs. Receiving the quilt on behalf of Post 101 was Michael Vagle, the Post’s Junior Vice Commander. The quilt will be included in the museum at Post 101 honoring military members who have served from World War I to the present.

The quilt was commissioned by the Black Forest AARP Chapter #1100 to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the WWII D-Day landing in Europe. The wall-hanging quilt, 42 inches wide and 48 inches long, is of historical significance. The quilt features ten invasion photographs as well as a photo of the letter that Gen. Eisenhower wrote to the Allied Forces prior to the invasion. Also included is a photo of the handwritten statement the General had prepared in case the invasion failed. The photos have been expertly transferred to quilt fabric.

VFW Post 101 was established over 95 years ago in April 1920. Current membership includes over 500 veterans from all the United States Military Services, plus many Auxiliary members. The Post hosts and supports veterans assistance programs, attends memorial services, provides service member and family support during deployments, welcomes home troops and provides activities that inspire patriotism in the community. The post also actively supports veterans’ advocacy activities and annually contributes to Boy Scout and Girl Scout scholarship programs. Veterans interested in becoming VFW Post 101 members should call 719-632-2776 or visit vfwpost101.org.

Membership in the Black Forest Chapter is open to all. Chapter activities and an invitation to visit a chapter meeting can be found at http://aarpchapter1100blackforest.weebly.com/index.html or by contacting Chuck at 719-749-9227.

Several current VFW Post 101 members pose with the D-Day Commemorative Quilt after the presentation ceremony. Black Forest AARP Chapter members Shirley Karlstrum and Electa Beckner (blue shirts) are shown with the group.

Shirley Karlstrum, designer and maker of the D-Day Commemorative Quilt, presents it to Junior Vice Commander VFW Post 101, Michael Vagle, while Chuck Karlstrum, President of the Black Forest AARP Chapter 1100 (L) and Electa Beckner (R) assist. A photo of Lt. Marion L. Willis, a Colorado Springs resident and firefighter before WW I, hangs on the wall in the background. Photos courtesy Black Forest AARP