Quilts of Valor is a national foundation established in 2003 dedicated to the goal of covering all United States soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen touched by war with comforting and healing quilts. In the 13 years since, nearly 145,000 quilts have been awarded to active duty military personnel and veterans nationwide. Minnesota began its participation in Quilts of Valor in 2005, when eight quilters from Perham got together to stitch two quilts for the cause. Within a short time quilters from St. James Church of Maine township and Fergus Falls formed additional groups to create Quilts of Valor.

The three Quilts of Valor groups from Otter Tail County, known collectively as Quilters Embrace, are traveling to Fort Riley, Kansas, to award their handmade quilts to the wounded, ill and injured soldiers of the Warrior Transition Battalion. The group is also making stops in Watertown, South Dakota; Yankton, South Dakota; Cameron, Missouri; and Albert Lea to award quilts to veterans.

According to a press release, this is the fifth delivery trip the volunteers of Quilters Embrace have made to personally award the quilts. The quilts going to Fort Riley along with those awarded at Fort Knox, Kentucky; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Fort Hood, Texas; and Fort Bragg, North Carolina bring the total awarded on post to over 5,000. Add that to the quilts awarded throughout Minnesota, these volunteers have been able to personally thank over 7,000 veterans and active duty servicemen and women for their service and sacrifice.

The Albert Lea American Legion Post No. 489 is a supporter of the organization and will host representatives from the group Friday. The group is expected to arrive between 5 to 5:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.