By Oregon Coast TODAY
For many veterans, boot camp might bring back memories of scratchy blankets. But the new exhibit at Newport’s Pacific Maritime Heritage Center aims to give a more layered portrayal of life in, and after, military service.
The Veterans Quilt Project exhibit opens Thursday, Oct. 12, with a public reception from 4-6 p.m. featuring light refreshments.
The exhibit includes 20 quilts made for veterans by members of the Oregon Coast Quilters Guild and a digital version of the I Am Not Invisible exhibition from the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Veterans Quilt Project exhibit commemorates the lives of veterans through quilts made for, presented to, and owned by veterans serving in all branches of the military. Behind every quilt is a unique human story and an opportunity to forge connections between civilians and veterans.
Guests at the exhibit will get the chance to view veterans’ quilts and learn their personal stories of life after the military. The digital version of the I Am Not Invisible exhibit features stories of Oregon women veterans to raise awareness of the diverse female veteran community and their contributions to the military.
“Too many times veterans are boxed into only what they did while in the military.” said Keith Barnes, Lincoln County’s veterans service officer, himself a U.S. Air Force veteran. “We wanted to focus on what the veteran did outside of the military. Many forget that the time we spent in is very little compared to what we spend out. Many veterans go on to be leaders in our community, volunteer, become first responders, raise families, coach little league teams, and even write books. But sometimes when people hear we are veterans they only focus on what we did in the military. I think these are important stories to tell.”
Susan Tissot, executive director of the Lincoln County Historical Society, said approximately 10 percent of Lincoln County residents are veterans.
“Veterans bring extraordinary backgrounds and skill sets to the communities they reside in and yet there is a lot of misinformation that circulates about veterans,” she said. “We think it is important to share the stories of the people in our community and this exhibit is an excellent example of a safe and interesting way to do so.”
The Veterans Quilt Project exhibit will be on display through Jan. 14 in the Mezzanine Gallery of the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center, 333 S.E. Bay Blvd.
The center features panoramic views of Yaquina Bay, two galleries with rotating exhibits, three permanent galleries, the 121-seat Doerfler Family Theater and a museum store
Admission rates apply but children aged 12 and under and active-duty military get in free.
Thanks to sponsorship from the Lincoln County Veterans Resource Center, the Lincoln County Historical Society, and the City of Toledo, admission is free for veterans and their spouses, during the exhibit.