A Lifetime of Service
by Emma Dixon
Valerie Philon understands the healing comfort a quilt can provide – perhaps more profoundly than most. A highly decorated veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Valerie has made Seminole County her home for the past 34 years. Both of her daughters also chose to join the military.
As a retiree, Valerie devotes her time to several charitable causes including the Quilts of Valor Foundation, a national charity whose mission – to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing quilts – is especially close to her heart.
Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Valerie joined the Air Force after she graduated from high school. During her time in the service, she attained the rank of staff sergeant and was stationed at Air Force bases across the globe including Texas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Yokota and Okinawa, both in Japan.
“I found endearing things about each place I was stationed: the sunrises in Texas as we marched to the dining hall, the zillions of sunflowers and Indian paintbrush flowers in Oklahoma, and the friendly folks I met everywhere," says Valerie.
“My time in service was an adventure for me,” she adds. “While I was on the other side of the world from home, Mount Fuji in Japan gave me such a grounding feeling as though God was with me and smiling down on me.”
Valerie left the military in the early 1980s and moved to Central Florida with her two young daughters, Sarah and Laura. Marrying her second husband David in 1990, they settled in Oviedo where they’ve lived ever since.
Like Mother, Like Daughters
It’s clear that the girls shared their mother’s love of the military, because both enlisted in the Navy after graduating from high school. Sarah, who has served more than 24 years, began her career as an aerographer’s mate – one of the Navy’s meteorological and oceanographic experts. She is currently serving as a lieutenant commander stationed in San Diego, California.
“We are so very proud of her,” says Valerie. “She is a beautiful, talented person, a loving mother to our two grandchildren, and a great leader.”
Younger daughter Laura, a petty officer third class, chose electronic warfare as her specialty but died tragically during her military service.
“Laura was a beautiful, creative, sensitive young lady with a special zest for living,” says Valerie. “It was an honor and privilege to be her mother for each day of her life.”
Valerie has been a lifelong volunteer for many military-related groups and causes including the American Legion Post 243 in Oviedo, flag retirement ceremonies, veterans outreach groups, and Florida’s Fallen Memorial event.
In October 2023, Valerie was named Veteran of the Month by the Seminole County Commission, in recognition for her service to her country and community.
Making Sew Much Difference
Last year, she attended her first sew day at the Central Florida chapter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation and was hooked right away.
The Foundation was created in 2003 by Catherine Roberts, the mother of a young soldier in Iraq. The mission to provide comfort and healing resonates with Valerie, because both of her daughters served in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“Sarah oversaw the weather operations for the fleet from her base in Italy, and Laura served aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt,” says Valerie. “I crocheted my little fingers off during that war, so I could definitely relate to Catherine’s feelings and her need to do something.”
The Central Florida Quilts of Valor chapter, led by Melissa Mathews, is made up of about 50 quilters and has awarded more than 575 quilts to date, with more than 175 presented this year alone to veterans and service members.
“I enjoy every aspect of the group,” says Valerie. “I participate by sewing, nominating recipients to receive quilts, and draping quilts on worthy veterans at presentations. I am so glad to be a part of the Foundation, bringing joy and honor to the unsung heroes in our community.”
Valerie also volunteers for a military support group at a church in Oviedo.
“Most recently, we have been doing beautiful lap blankets that are given to senior veterans going on the Honor Flight Network trips out of our area,” says Valerie.
To mark this Veterans Day, observed nationally on November 11, Valerie plans to attend the military support group’s luncheon for veterans and a celebration presented by the East Seminole County VFW Post 10139 in Chuluota. Both will be opportunities for Valerie, who has given so much to the community, to take some much-deserved time to celebrate and reflect.