Bad things happen in groups

I have a very dear friend that has a son in the US Marine Corps. He has been in Afghanistan fighting. He was right on top of an IED when it exploded. Read about the incident here., I believe this talks about what happened. Matt is alive, but injured. He was thrown into a canal where one of his Marine buddies found him and got him to help. He had multiple shrapnel in one eye, the shrapnel is now removed but the eye is swollen shut. He has multiple open wounds on one arm and his elbow is smashed. They are cold packing his arm and won't even begin to address the elbow until the wounds are more healed. He is in a lot of pain. According to his mom, being away from his "guys" is more painful for him than his injuries. I spoke with her last night. They have flown Matt to Germany and she has been able to speak with him. Not sure when but he will be on his way to the Naval hospital in Bethesda soon and the military will fly my friend and her family to Bethesda to see him.

I've known Matt for a long time. I taught him in religious education class, that's in fact, where we first met. His younger brother is my DS's BEST friend, in fact he ate dinner here last night. They played football from second grade to freshman year, and lacrosse from 5th grade until their senior year. Matt's sister was on the swim team with my DD2.

Matt is a person that is bigger than life. He has struggled to find his niche in life. I think he found what he was looking for in the Marines. His personality is a good match for that program. He is the kind of kid you think of as "Superman". While talking to his mom last night we both have always felt that nothing bad would happen to him, not to Matt. It feels kind of surreal, actually.

Thankfully he is alive. With the help of the doctors and the grace of God he will heal.

Today I am asking you all to remember the brave men and women that serve in our military to keep this country safe and free. We all go about our lives and often take for granted the freedom we have and the relative security we live in (at least for the moment). Our military men and women are working hard to keep things this way.

We are at war. You are going about your life and only small things have changed but we are at war. We are working to preserve our way of life. There is a group of people out there that are making it their main mission in life to kill the infidel. This is you and me. If you don't think so take a minute and think of people like Matt.

Give your family a BIG hug and kiss today, and say a special prayer for Matt and his family.

I am thinking of making a RWB quilt for Matt. Any suggestions on a pattern? Anyone got a QOV quilt that is fabulous? I need to be able to make it up fairly quickly. Maybe strings? I'll have to think about it. I'll keep you posted on his progress.

NOTE:

I have decided to make this quilt (Pattern by Mary Johnson) If anyone wants to contribute blocks please let me know. String quilts are so easy and quick to make. Just let me know and I will send you my snail mail address (unless you know me IRL and then you can drop them off or I can come and get them) Thanks!

Found out Matt went into surgery to repair some of the wounds and work on the elbow. If you want to send me a block or two for the quilt, I need you to do a couple of things
1-Download the directions from the link above. I will ask you for the half dark red, half dark blue blocks. I am cutting some right now and finding it difficult to find red in my stash with out a lot of white! I have some but not a lot. If you have any red patriotic fabric or blue use that. I made my muslin base 10.5" as I have found this makes the trimming easier for me later. You can send them untrimmed.
2-Please send me a note to include with the quilt for Matt. I will put all our names on the label too so unless you don't want to be recognized please include these things for me. I think he would be touched to know how many other people appreciate what he has done for us all.
3-Please email me and I will give you my address. I am trying to get this done asap so if you are sending something it would make it easier for me if you send it within the week. I realize this is a quick turn around time but I would like to send it to him with his parents when he gets back to the states.

Again, thanks for any and all that wish to help!