Barbara Tyler never imagined that her love for sewing would be recognized by the president of the United States.
On Sept. 12, Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley presented Tyler with the President's Volunteer Service Award, in part for the 80 military branch insignia pillows she sewed and donated to Fort Meade service members at Right Arm Night.
"It made me feel good," said Tyler, a resident of Cheverly, after the award presentation at garrison headquarters. "All the people who got the pillows really appreciated them and loved it."
The award, which includes a letter signed by President Barack Obama, is given by the Corporation for National Community Service.
"Thank you for your devotion to service and for doing all you can to share a better tomorrow for our great nation," stated the letter from Obama.
Tyler, her daughter Lucille Baker and family friend Phil Simms distributed the brightly colored plush pillows for free at Right Arm Night on Aug. 22.
Foley and Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas J. Latter posed for a photograph with Tyler at the event.
"We were truly impressed with your service and enthusiasm," said Foley at the award presentation. "You're a wonderful American."
Tyler has been sewing since she was a child in her hometown of Inwood, W. Va. She is the widow of Perry D. Tyler, who retired in 1966 after serving 16 years in the Air Force.
Tyler also is a former president of the Harmony Chapter #3 Washington, D.C., chapter of the American War Mothers. She served from 1998 to 2000 and is still a member of the national organization, which was chartered by Congress in 1925.
The members of AWM are mothers whose sons and daughters have served or who are serving in the armed forces. The organization's objective is to aid the service members or veterans and their families, including those who are hospitalized, according to the AWM website.
Tyler came up with the idea for the pillows after purchasing the fabric while traveling in Oklahoma. She said she had so much fabric, she wasn't sure what to do with it.
Baker said that as a former AWM president, giving to service members "is still in [Tyler's] heart."
A decade ago, Tyler sewed robes and slippers that she donated to service members at the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., along with letters written by children from a school in her neighborhood.
Tyler and her sister Katie Proctor began sewing the pillows last year.
Capt. Leslie J. Johnson, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, met Tyler a few months ago when Tyler visited the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation building, seeking assistance with the distribution of the pillows.
"She wandered into our building looking for help," Johnson said. "Mrs. Tyler initially wanted to give the pillows to wounded warriors to cheer them up."
However, Fort Meade's Warrrior Transition Unit could not accept the pillows due to legal constraints. The WTU referred Johnson and Tyler to Candace Godfrey, marketing manager and gifts and donation coordinator for FMWR.
"She brought me a sample so that I could see her handmade pillow, and they were very nice," Godfrey said. "I wanted to help her find a way to accomplish her mission, as well as bring a morale booster to our service members."
Godfrey invited Tyler to distribute the pillows at Right Arm Night at Club Meade. The pillows were put on display and given away to service members and DoD civilians on a first-come, first-served basis.
"Ms. Tyler received numerous thank-yous, handshakes and hugs from the service members and civilians who attended the event," Godfrey said. "Ms. Tyler received a round of applause from everyone at the event. It was really great to watch the exchange of gratitude."
Martha McClary, director of FMWR, thanked Tyler at the event for her donation and sent her a letter of appreciation.
Tyler said she never imagined that her love for sewing would bring such recognition.
"I feel real good about it. Thank you," she said.
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