Veterans Day is on Wednesday, November 11th, 2015, but people in the Quad Cities are already finding ways to honor our veterans this weekend... and in unique ways.
On Sunday, November 8th, 2015, Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Rock Island added 53 names to its Veterans Plaque. The additions bring the total number of congregation members who have served to 153. The plaque has not been updated since the 1950s and during the mass every name was read out loud.
"A lot of them are gone, have passed away, but we want to recognized what they did for our country," said Veteran, Gary Andrews. "I don't know a lot of churches that do this. We thought it'd be nice for this Veterans Day."
The updated plaque was also moved to the front of the church so more people can see it.
Meanwhile, the Quad City Botanical Center held its 4th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Sunday afternoon. It's presented by the Quilts of Valor, which has given more than 130,000 quilts to veterans across the country over the past 12 years. 50 local nominated veterans received a quilt this year - each one made by volunteers who say they are moved by how this organization began.
"It was started by this nurse whose son was deployed to Iraq," said Terry Austin, QC Representative of the Quilts of Valor. "She wrapped him in his quilt and found out how it comforted him, so she decided it could also comfort other veterans and that's how the foundation started."
There are several more Veterans Day event taking place this week. For a complete list, click here.