Faithe Lake hold up the quilt for all to see at the MTFRW Spring Meeting
This beautiful quilt was designed and quilted by Barbara Reutlinger from Hamilton, Montana. Barbara is a member of the Ravalli County Republican Women and a renowned quilter with many awards. She researched the history of the Purple Heart Award and those women in Montana who received it.
George Washington was the initiator of the award, incorporating purple as it is the color of the sash he wore. The format may also have been used since the strongest wood available, the American Purpleheart (from Latin America), was used for gun carriages and weapons during the Revolution and could be a symbol of strength and resistance over the British hearts of English Oak (a popular English military song of the time). The Purple Heart Award also includes the Washington Coat of Arms.
The background of the quilt displays the mountains, streams, trees and “Big Sky” that were so dear to those who served from Montana. There are five women in Montana who have received the Purple Heart Award. Their information is incorporated on the reverse side of the quilt.
