PARKER - Like many veterans of war, Juliet Madsen brought home with her images of the battlefield. Dealing with those images and memories can be haunting for veterans.
Madsen was deployed during Operation Desert Storm and in 2004 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
As a paramedic, she dealt with the realities of war while treating soldiers and civilians injured in the fighting. As a soldier, she was highly trained to do the job that was needed.
The challenge was in handling it as a person.
"You cannot prepare for seeing a grown man cry. You cannot prepare for seeing children die," Madsen said.
She experienced the psychological wounds of war and the physical ones as well. When the ambulance she was hit by an IED, Madsen suffered a traumatic brain injury. Quilting has helped her heal.
"It is a really good stress reliever," Madsen said.
Through the Veterans Administration, she was able to acquire a long-arm quilting machine. Madsen has turned it into a therapy tool.
Some of the quilts she has worked on reflect America, like the Statue of Liberty. Others reflect America's struggle to preserve liberty. The military quilts are distinctly unique in that they are made from the fabrics of war. Pieces of uniforms, duffle bags and military patches are sewn together to create images of US soldiers.
"Military quilts are exceptionally personal," Madsen said. "I can't seem to quilt without putting myself into it."
Madsen has also turned quilting into a business she calls, "Stroke of Luck Quilting & Design."
She has produced quilts that hang at Veteran Administration offices, the Library of Congress and one was recently sent to the White House for display.
To learn more about Juliet Madsen and her work, visit her website at www.strokeofluckquilting.com.
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