by Rebecca E. Tonn

Family readiness group members from the 2nd Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, have been making quilts for the past two months.

The women are making individual, personalized quilts in honor of their deployed husbands. Soon the FRG members will start on a 92-by-80 inch group quilt, which will be displayed at FortCarson's SpecialEventsCenter each time a unit from the 2nd BSB redeploys.

The quilt will have four sections - one decorated by each company in the 2nd BSB: Headquarters and Headquarters Company, and Companies A, B and C.

Army spouse Maridee Hargis volunteered as a quilting instructor for the group, since she loves quilting and knows the value of camaraderie amongst military families, especially during deployment.

Brenda Coates, an FRG leader for HHC, 2nd BSB, started quilting two months ago and enjoys it.

"Miss Maridee's been patient with me," Coates said.

Angela Hobbs, FRG leader for HHC, said she started quilting to get out of the house and have adult companionship.

Teri Crawford, FRG leader for Company B, said quilting is relaxing.

"We're family here, with our husbands being in the military and deployed. Quilting is a great (emotional) outlet and stress release for us," Crawford said.

Other women in the group agreed with her.

"We are making this (group) quilt to show our husbands how proud we are of them and to show our support for them and for our battalion," Coates said.

The group meets weekly and plans to have the large quilt finished in June. It will be folded and displayed at 2nd BCT's headquarters when it is not being used at welcome home ceremonies.