The Bayou Quilters held their first Quilts of Valor presentation at the Coteau Public Library on Saturday, honoring six veterans who have served their nation with a handmade quilt.

Started in 2003, the Quilts of Valor Foundation grew quickly, with groups forming across the United States. Quilter Sandra Cooper said she was excited to see the positive reception the first presentation received.

“We are a new group, we’ve only been together for about six months now. This is our first presentation, so we’re hoping it goes well,” she said. “Quilts of Valor has been around since 2003. Catherine Roberts’ son went to Iraq and she started the program and it’s just grown so much.”

“There have been almost 400,000 quilts that have been given out since its inception, and we’re hoping to do this event twice a year.”

Six veterans were chosen to receive quilts, with service periods from Vietnam to Iraq represented. Cooper said that since the group’s roster of veterans is almost empty, they are planning to expand the search area from 50-miles to find more veterans to honor.

Marcus Boudreaux was one of the six honored on Saturday, something that he was surprised to find out he was nominated for.

“It was a surprise. I work with a veterans group in New Iberia, the Iberia Veterans Association, where I’m the secretary,” he said.

Boudreaux, like many veterans from the Gulf War and Global War on Terrorism period, said he initially had no desire to participate in veteran organizations, only changing his mind once he realized he missed the brotherhood and camaraderie found in the service.

“I stayed out of the veterans’ thing when I got out, I just didn’t want to deal with it,” Boudreaux said. “The older generations don’t always recognize the younger ones or know when it’s time to let the younger ones take over. The world is changing, so we need to work to support all veterans and show the world that we can work together the way we did when we served.”

To nominate a veteran for a Quilt of Valor, visit www.qovf.org/nominations-awards. For more information about the Bayou Quilters, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/387671704168879.