Seamstress Seeks Military Photos to Complete Vietnam Veterans Memorial Quilt

Growing up in a military family, Flora Jo “Peaches” Dunn, 61, of Tiverton, has always had a high respect for all branches of armed forces. Now retired from a career in banking, Dunn spends much of her time sewing and embroidering gifts for friends and family members. But her favorite creations are ones that allow her to give back to veterans.

A few years ago Dunn made a memorial quilt that is now displayed in the . Today, Dunn is working away in her sewing room to put together a memorial quilt for Vietnam veterans.

"I've been wanting to do this for 20 years," Dunn said. “I love making quilts to honor veterans because there are so many people out there that should know that we appreciate them."

After rekindling a friendship with childhood sweetheart and former Army Air Corp Specialist, Ron Curria, Dunn now has the motivation and help needed to make the quilt. But she has hit another snag. Dunn has only received a handful of photographs, and a few military uniforms, from veterans.

“It’s almost like the Vietnam vets are too shy to come out,” Dunn said. “I don’t know if it’s the way they were treated when they got home or not, but they deserve a real welcome home ‘thank you’.”

Curria, a Vietnam veteran himself, recalled his own memories of the return home after the war.

“When we came back we were known as baby killers,” he said. “People would spit at me.”

Dunn is looking for about 50 more photographs to complete the quilt by Memorial Day. She plans to dedicate it to the Vietnam veterans and to her 27-year-old niece Sara Nichols, who was recently deployed to Afghanistan. Dunn's father, Robert E. Nichols Sr., served in the Army in World War II.

“I want to do something to help smooth over all of these years of pain,” Dunn said. “I want the veterans to know that what they did really mattered.”

When the quilt is complete, Dunn would like to display it somewhere in Warren.

If you have any photographs of veterans in any military branch while serving in Vietnam or uniforms, buttons or pins from the war, please e-mail Dunn at florajoyoung@cox.net. If photographs are printed, they can be mailed to her and they will be returned.