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Caprock Quilters put memories on cloth

  • Published
  • By Greg Allen
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  With more than 400 quilts made in four years to honor fallen servicemembers, Cannon's Caprock Quilters had the rare opportunity to personally present their creation of caring to family members June 20 at the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

Rodney and Connie Bachman arrived from Garden City, Kan., to receive the handcrafted quilt made in honor of their son, Army Sgt. 1st Class Travis Bachman, a member of the Kansas National Guard who was killed in Iraq Aug.1, 2007.

Col. Babette Lenfant, 27th Special Operations Mission Support Group commander, welcomed the Bachmans, as well as Linda and Rick Madera, Travis' aunt and uncle who live in Clovis, N.M. She quickly turned the occasion over to the quilters and the family.

It was the Maderas who originally requested through the A&FRC that a quilt be made to honor their nephew. Barbara Winslow, one of the quilters, added that the group "goes like gangbusters" when they get together to quilt.

"It was very special to be able to meet the family," said Ellen Saccoia-Smith, A&FRC community readiness consultant. "Meeting Travis' mom was a very moving experience for me and the volunteers. It's wonderful to know our contributions mean so much to the families. "

The Caprock Quilters are part of Operation Homefront Quilters, a national organization of individuals, generally women, who use their skills with sewing machines to honor the memory of a service man or women who died in combat.

"The quilters here are the biggest single contributor of quilts to the national organization," said Cynthia Friday-Allison, A&FRC flight chief. The quilts are usually sent to the parent organization, Operation Homefront Quilts, in Florida and then delivered to the families.

The quilt presented to the Bachmans was more than a project, but rather a memorial to their son said Mrs. Winslow. The words "Crimson and Cream" bordered one edge of the quilt, was in direct reference to Travis' college allegiance, University of Oklahoma.

"He would always correct people, saying 'It's crimson and cream, not scarlet and white," said his mother.

"Heck of a burrito plate" emblazoned another corner of the cloth memory was an inside family joke that brought small smiles to Connie and her husband Rodney. It brought back memories of the time when they visited him and ate at a particular Mexican restaurant at his suggestion.

Patches in the quilt such as the back pocket of an old pair of jeans with the outline of a snuff can and a Purple Heart, among others, also defined the soldier to his parents and those who knew him.

And on the flip side of the quilt is a photo of Travis, an eagle and the simple words:
In remembrance
Travis S. Bachman
American Hero
2007

The quilters also presented quilts to each of Sgt.1st Class Bachman's children as well as his wife Amber, and had earlier presented a quilt to the Maderas, who had initially contacted the A&FRC to discuss the possibility of a memorial quilt.

"I found it very important to show support to the families and to let (them) know their sacrifices are not in vain," said Mrs. Saccoia-Smith

The quilts, said Connie, would be a fond memory of Travis for everyone who new and loved him.

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