Friday, April 1, 2011

Run for the Fallen Maine Accepts Quilt, Proposes Gold Star Plate



OGUNQUIT—
Sandra Troutt and her husband, James, recently presented a handmade quilt to John Mixon and the Run for the Fallen Maine nonprofit organization. Sandra made the quilt to thank the organization for all they have done for our Fallen Heroes. Sandra and James are the proud grandparents of SPC. Dustin J. Harris of Patten, Maine who was killed in action in Iraq on April 6, 2006. They do whatever they can do to keep his memory alive.
The quilt will be displayed throughout the Town of Ogunquit this summer, at the Dunaway Center and at Veterans’ Park on Memorial Day weekend and 4th of July weekend. It will also be displayed at Knight’s Quilt Shop on Route 1 in York as part of their Memorial Day display in May.
Most of the squares in the Quilt were hand painted by Sandra. She has agreed to make another quilt (different than this one) with a similar theme that will be raffled during our fundraising efforts. You can see the quilt and other fundraising items soon at www.runforthefallenmaine.org.
In other news, Run for the Fallen Maine has recently proposed a new Gold Star License plate design to the State House, designed by Wells High School Student Emily Knight. As Maine is one of only two states in the U.S. that do not offer Gold Star family license plates, Run for the Fallen Maine is working with Governor LePage to reintroduce a bill to the current Legislature that would offer this honor to eligible family members. Run for the Fallen Maine has offered to offset the roughly $10,700 it would take to produce the plates. The organization is also working to establish a fund to pay for the plates of any eligible family member that cannot afford the license fees assessed by the State. For more information, visit www.mainegoldstarplates.com.
Photo caption: Bottom: Sandra and James Troutt hold up a quilt Sandra made in honor of the efforts of the Run for the Fallen Maine. Top: The proposed Gold Star Plate for Maine designed by Wells High School student Emily Knight. (Courtesy photos)