October 2, 2002
Handmade quilt square shows true patriotic colors
Traverse City woman's handiwork given to family of Navy worker killed in 9-11 attack
By LISA PERKINS
Herald staff writer
When Joann Rosi read about the "Show Your Colors, America" fund-raiser for families of September 11 victims, sponsored by "Country Home" magazine, she knew exactly what she was going to do. The Traverse City resident had a creative answer to the request for quilt squares to be used in commemorative quilts and wall hangings - and eventually sold at auction.
"I've been quilting for more than 30 years. I've had this picture of my son at a Fourth of July parade when he was three-years-old and I always thought I wanted to do something with it. It just seemed perfect for the square," said Rosi, who reproduced the image of her young son - dressed in red, white and blue and carrying an American flag - onto the 10 inch square.
When Rosi sent the finished project in last April, she was one of 1,325 quilters who donated squares for the cause. Some have been sewn into quilts while others, like Rosi's were sold individually.
To Rosi's surprise, she received a letter from Lieutenant Commander Mark Hofmann of Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland last month, telling her what had become of her handiwork.
For the last year Hofmann has been serving as a casualty assistance calls officer for the family of Judith Jones, a Department of the Navy civilian who was killed on September 11 at the Pentagon. He presented the square to Mrs. Jones' daughter the morning of September 11, 2002 just before the Pentagon observance and burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Hofmann's sister had purchased the square in an on-line auction in Des Moines.
"It was the nicest thing that I found out what happened to it, especially since it went to the family of someone who was killed. I never expected that," Rosi said.
As for the young son depicted on the quilt square, Lieutenant Philip Rosi has been a member of the United States Navy for 15 years.
"I am very proud of my son. The fact that he is in the Navy and this went to a Navy family makes this even more special for me," Rosi noted.