The passage of time often obscures the memories of events that should never be forgotten. This is an unfortunate fate of many stories of valor and bravery from the past. However, there are those who have dedicated their lives to preserving these stories, to let them live on and inspire future generations. One such individual is a woman who created three quilts featuring WWII aircraft. Her labor of love has inspired veterans to come together and share their stories.

Sharon and Joe Schaeffer discovered a key to a happy marriage: sharing hobbies and passions. Joe, a history teacher with a love for aviation, was an accomplished aircraft modeler. Throughout his life, he painstakingly constructed over 250 aircraft models. Known for their exceptional accuracy, many of his models are now showcased in museums and private collections.

Sharon was supportive of his passion, and often assisted with research and material sourcing for his models. Joe’s meticulous attention to detail for his hobby often kept him in the model room late into the night. Inspired by his dedication, Sharon decided to join him and use her skills as a seamstress to replicate aircraft on a quilt.

When she started, she asked for Joe’s help to ensure accurate detail as she embroidered her first World War II aircraft. He agreed, and their collaboration resulted in a king-sized quilt featuring 9 aircraft from the war. It wasn’t an easy task, and it took almost two years to complete. Over the course of time, Sharon completed 3 WWII quilts.

Sharon discovered a distinctive approach to pay tribute to war veterans by taking her quilts to the air shows she attended with Joe. In an effort to honor their service, she invited veterans to sign her quilts, quickly earning her the nickname “Quilt Lady”. This connection with veterans opened many opportunities for Joe and Sharon, as their quilts attracted attention at the airshows.

At an airshow in Reading PA, a gentleman asked Sharon to see her quilt. The sight of the brightly-embroidered B-17 brought tears to his eyes, prompting him to recount his harrowing experience as a glider pilot during D-Day. Without hesitation, he openly shared his involvement in the horrific events of that day, astonishing his wife who had never heard him speak of it before. The quilt seemed to provide the perfect opportunity for him to share his story, acting as a catalyst for others to also reveal their own experiences.

Often, as Sharon listened to stories from Veterans, she wished she had a tape recorder to capture their remarkable stories. It was not practical to carry both a quilt and a recording device. Nevertheless, these quilts had a profound effect on people, allowing them to relive their experiences through a tangible piece of fabric. The stories that unfolded were nothing short of extraordinary.