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Here's a great article I found at www.northwestnavigator.com: -- More than 1,500 American military families have lost loved ones in the Middle East during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Volunteers working for Marine Comfort Quilts (MCQ) are determined to make sure that every one of these families are given something in return for their loss to let them know that their loved ones will never be forgotten. Marine Comfort Quilts is an organization that was founded by two Marine mothers for Marine families, but eventually expanded to include all branches of the military. Their goal is to provide a comfort quilt to the primary next of kin of every military member who has died serving in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The quilts are made from 30 squares measuring 12.5 by 12.5 inches with each square containing an inspirational message from the donor or another military member. Two Navy spouses from Kitsap County are hard at work contributing squares to MCQ.  Lisa Johansen and Shellie Stephenson work together and have contributed more than 40 squares in approximately three months. “It’s such a good cause,” said Johansen, wife of Hospital Corpsmen 1st Class (FMF) Jim Johansen stationed at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS and IMF). “It’s the least we can do for families who’ve lost a loved one in Iraq.  My husband’s been a corpsmen for the Marines before. That could be him that lost his life over there. It could have been me who lost somebody in Iraq. My dad was in the Marines, my husband’s in the Navy and I have friends in the Army.  It doesn’t matter what branch it is.  Everybody over there is there for the same cause.” Despite the fact that MCQ members nationwide have completed more than 600 quilts, there is still much more work to be done. There are an estimated 1,500 more quilts that MCQ hopes to complete. “We would like to see more participation,” said Johansen. “We’ve started a Yahoo network trying to get people involved. We want to be able to get quilts to all of these families so they will know that people out there care. A lot of people say they support our troops, but they might just put a ribbon on their vehicle. It takes a little more to really show your support.” The organization needs approximately 46,000 squares to complete their goal. “Every little bit helps,” said Stephenson, wife of Chief Store Keeper (SS) David Stephenson, stationed on USS Alaska (SSBN 732). “People can contribute a number of different ways. They can make squares for the quilts, they can donate money or they can donate a gift certificate to a craft store. These families appreciate the fact there are people out there that are not forgetting.” Members of MCQ span the entire country.  There are several websites and chat rooms dedicated to Marine quilts. “I’ve had contact with a few members from the Seattle area,” said Johansen.  “We’ve seen representatives from every state.  A lot of them are Marine moms connected with the Marine moms network.” The involvement of so many throughout the country lends a feeling of comradery amongst the members. “It’s a sisterhood,” said Stephenson.  “There are a wide variety of people.  There are military wives, mothers, sisters, active duty and retirees.  Everybody leans on each other.” To register, join or learn more about MCQ, check online at marinecomfortquilts.us. http://www.northwestnavigator.com/index.php/navigator/regionalnews/marine_comfort_quilts_reach_out_to_military_families/