About Us
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In the wake of  of 9/11, affected citizens across the United States were looking for ways to become creatively involved with the nations efforts at healing and rebuilding. Some did this by enlisting in the military, law enforcement or government service. Some focused on providing financial and other kinds of support to survivors, and those who lost loved ones in the tragedy. Others focused on honoring and commemorating those who were lost.

America’s heart was broken on September 11, 2001 and many people came together to honor those who perished on that tragic day. Several passionate, committed citizens started to remember those we lost by developing a national quilt memorial, using king-sized, flat, white bed sheets, to celebrate each individual’s life and honor their memory. The American QUILT Memorial teamed up with police, sheriff, firefighters, schools and so many others to put together hundreds of touching dedication quilt pieces in hopes of eventually memorializing each individual lost on that tragic day. In doing so, they received some very beautiful, moving and touching dedication quilt pieces from throughout the United States. 

While their dream was noble, what they didn’t realize was how significant of an undertaking this would be. Kevin Held, a devout Catholic and patriotic American, believed he was guided by the Holy Spirit to do something. He travelled the country helping police and fire departments, as well as, sheriff offices honor the heroes who went into the towers to rescue others. He saw young students’ spirited participation yet realized they probably couldn’t understand the magnitude of the loss. This was simply the start of being part of the history that forever changed America and the world.

Funded solely through commemorative t-shirt sales, this project, during the eight (8) year national tour, touched close to 100,000 police officers, sheriff deputies, firefighters, and students, moving burly 300 pound men to tears over the loss of their comrades. Tens of thousands (best guess at least 100,000) of wonderful volunteers deserve our thanks for the heart-filled artwork they developed to create so many moving dedication quilt pieces.

Mr. Held has faced his own challenges of completing his dream for a massive quilt to honor every one of the fallen. Still committed to his dream, he voluntarily continues to invite participants to create dedication quilt pieces still in need, – no longer bounded by the requirement of the effort and financial resources needed to come to you, by way of the national tour, with ultimately, had such exhuburant costs attached. In his spare time, Mr. Held volunteers to make this special memorial, the American QUILT Memorial live on.

In the spirit of their memories – years after that tragic day – we must continue to remember their lives and foundation of the freedom and liberties this great country was founded on.

 "Even these many years later, I am humbled by the emotions and spirit shared

with me and all those who created a dedication memorial quilt piece. I may

have dreamed up a big idea that was beyond my capacity to support, but

my limitations should not stand in the way of remembering all those

people - our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters
- that we lost on that tragic day. My hope is the American

QUILT Memorial will provides a useful, healing

and educational opportunity for those still

grieving and those just learning

about the historic day."

- Kevin Held, Founder -

Conclusion of the National Tour...
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With heavy hearts, we ended our eight (8) year national tour that began in 2003. Coupled with the tough economic times of the last few years, and a setback in national volunteerism, the American QUILT Memorial suffered the same fate as many other organizations over the last few years and our national tour concluded as of late summer 2010. Unfortunately, our commemorative t-shirts are no longer available. However, it is Mr. Held's commitment as Executive Director, and more so, as a proud American to take it upon himself to work to continue efforts, on a personal campaign, during his own free time, along with other volunteers and schools throughout the United States to collect the remaining dedication quilt pieces needed, so that each victim from September 11, 2001 is properly represented in the American QUILT Memorial. It is important to Mr. Held that all Americans do all they can to make sure those families that lost a loved on on September 11, 2001, know that Americans still remember their loved ones and still recognize the incredible losses they all suffered and that the children in our grade schools/middle schools have the opportunity to use the American QUILT Memorial as a "learning tool" in a creative classroom setting that will bring honor to the victim's of September 11, 2001.