From WTHI-TV: A local group is honoring veterans and fallen soldiers by making memorials in an unusual place.They spend hours at the sewing machine and have created a 40-foot American flag quilt.The crafty creators aren't your typical sewing circle, they're prison inmates.
"It's very touching, just to see it up close takes your breath away," Jack Hendrix, the assistant superintendent of the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility said.
The P.L.U.S. Unit is an elite prison dorm that's devoted to giving back to the community, especially veterans.Randy O'Brien, a former Marine and prison inmate came up with the idea of the quilted flag."It's what's closest to my heart and there's some guilt being in here and not being overseas helping the troops," O'Brien said.
Within the stars and stripes there are more than 5,000 names of fallen U.S. service men and women who were serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. "They're doing it for freedom, even the very freedoms we experience in prison, they're fighting for," O'Brien said.
Kevin Henry spends hours every day threading tributes to fallen soldiers and veterans. "They deserve it, they deserve some kind of tribute," Henry said. "They were doing what we should have been doing, serving other people."
Helping to honor others for their good service is something that's helping the very fabric of these men. "It's going to go a long way when I return in six years to society," O'Brien said.
The inmates hope their flag means as much to the community as it does to them. "It's a living memorial I hope," O'Brien said.
While the patriotic creators continue their fabric tributes, honoring those serving their country, while they're serving time.The P.L.U.S. program doesn't cost taxpayers. All of the materials and equipment for the program are donated. The group also donates quilts to homeless shelters and others in need. As for the American flag quilt the prison is talking with several organizations to find a home for the quilt. No word yet on where it will be placed.
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