Major Bill Otis of the Warriors in Transition unit at Fort Drum in Watertown will soon be delivering some special gifts to those who need it most -- wounded veterans. In all 36 comfort quilts will be given to those who served their country as a thanks from the Oneida Nation Elders program.

“We have received a lot of donations from others,” Otis said. “Quilts are one of those things; it’s a warm and fuzzy gift, and there’s something about something warm and fuzzy that makes you feel the love.”

Presenting the quilts were Laurel Parker (Turtle Clan) and Linda Williams (Turtle Clan). Both were among the group of Elders and employees who helped make the quilts. Some participants saw the quilts through from start to finish while others simply designed the quilt for others to finish. This project began earlier this year.

The only requirement for the quilt is for one square to contain a flag pattern. Each quilt is adorned with a patch that reads, “Presented to wounded and disabled vets. Thank you. Oneida Indian Nation Elders Quilting group.”

“I think the soldiers are going to love them,” Otis continued. “They’re all unique and they all have the American flag on them. I think they’re going to be well received by the soldiers.”

The Warriors in transition unit averages 400 soldiers at any one time. The soldiers are not all wounded on the battlefield, but close to 100 percent have been on the battlefield. The majority hails from the Northeastern United States, but they also come from the West Coast.

“We want them to be comforted. That’s the plan,” Laurel, whose husband is a Vietnam Veteran, said. He did not receive a warm welcome when he returned from duty. “I don’t want these young soldiers to feel that way. I want them to feel that somebody cares, that somebody is thinking about them.”

Earlier this year Jane Rooney, program coordinator and state soloist for the Department of New York Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, presented three completed lap quilts to the president of the New York State VFW. The blankets will be given to three veterans at three different VA hospitals.

The plan is to continue the quilt project in hopes of donating quilts to Oneida Nation veterans.