CHARLOTTE — Victor St. Pierre, a 99-year-old WWII veteran and St. James Catholic Church in Concord parishioner, was honored with a Quilt of Valor at a Veterans “Dinner of Thanks 2025” banquet Nov. 13 hosted by Pineville Church of the Nazarene.
Emily Davis, leader of the local Quilts of Valor Foundation chapter, presented Pierre with the 60” by 80” red, white and blue quilt, reverently wrapping the large blanket around Pierre’s small frame.
“Wow, I will never be cold again,” announced St. Pierre. “Thanks, this is beautiful.”
Davis spent about three months making the quilt for St. Pierre. She prays over every quilt and believes God connects the right quilt to the right veteran.
“This reminds me of my mother,” St. Pierre said. “She made quilts just like this.”
Davis started designing these quilts after making one for her husband, who fought in Vietnam, Steve Davis. The military wife said her husband suffers from PTSD and illness due to Agent Orange exposure. He’s not very open about his experience, and, like a lot of Vietnam veterans, did not receive the hero’s welcome he deserved when he arrived home.
Emily believes giving her husband the quilt brought him comfort and healing above and beyond what she expected.
“He is starting to open up,” she said. Ever since, she uses her free time on these projects, knowing that in her little way she is helping her favorite heroes – veterans.
Eight veterans left that evening with heavy quilts stitched with love. St. Pierre, who attended with his son, was one of the last ones to leave, because everyone wanted a handshake and a selfie.
Thanks for your service, Victor St. Pierre.
— Lisa M. Geraci
Related: 99-year-old St. James the Greater parishioner honored with his own street
