Quilts, Declaration of Independence replica on display at Capitol for America 250

For the month of July, Pillen said a number of objects representing America will be on display in the Capitol, including a replica of the Declaration of Independence and the Lincoln Quilters Guild's 250-star quilt, both of which will be on display in the Governor's Reception Room.

"It's an extraordinary morning to celebrate and highlight the activities that have been taking place in the first six months here in the 250th anniversary of the greatest country in the history of civilization," Pillen said at a Wednesday news conference.

"I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about how blessed we are to get to be here at this time in the history of mankind. It's really unbelievable."

The governor was joined by members of the Nebraska Semiquincentennial Commission, Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution and the Lincoln Quilters Guild as well as Speaker of the Legislature John Arch of La Vista.

Liane Connelly, president of the Lincoln Quilters Guild, said members of the guild were invited to create the star blocks that formed the foundations of the pattern for the "SemiQuiltennial" quilt. 

Connelly said 73 guild members made one, two or even 23 blocks for the quilt, which was then assembled by guild board members in one day last November. 

"It was quite the sewing bee," she said, saying the project was a great way to engage guild members while also celebrating the semiquincentennial. 

The quilt will be raffled off, and proceeds will go to the Military Order of the Purple Heart Auxiliary, a volunteer organization that supports combat-wounded veterans and their families. 

In addition to the "SemiQuiltennial" quilt, a number of Quilts of Valor quilts will also hang on display in the Norris Chamber for the month of July. Quilts of Valor is a national organization that creates handmade quilts to honor veterans. Since the movement started in 2003, more than 440,000 quilts have been awarded across the nation.

Kay Hoff, a member of the Lincoln Quilters Guild, said the mission of Quilts of Valor is "simple, powerful and deeply American."

"When a quilt of valor is awarded, it says clearly and without hesitation, 'Thank you for your service and sacrifice in serving our nation,'" Hoff said. "A Quilt of Valor is not just a blanket, it is a message and it is a physical sign of gratitude. It is a way of saying that the service of our veterans has not been forgotten, that their sacrifices are known and that they are welcomed home with honor."

Arch said it is important to remember veterans while gathering to celebrate America's 250th birthday and that it is an honor to display these Quilts of Valor in the People's House.

"It is fitting that we take time to honor the foundation of our independence and men and women who have sacrificed as much to protect it," Arch said. "These quilts are more than just fabric and thread: They are symbols of a grateful nation." 

Daryl Bohac, director of the Nebraska State Historical Society, encouraged Nebraskans to not only take time to view the quilts, but to also partake in some of the more than 220 events planned throughout the state to celebrate the nation's 250th year.

"This is a yearlong celebration," Bohac said. "We have a lot to do yet to celebrate our nation's glorious history." 

One of the upcoming events Bohac highlighted was the Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution's joint public reading of the Declaration of Independence on the north steps of the state Capitol July 8 at 4:30 p.m.

The event is part of a broader nationwide reading to commemorate the first public reading of the document 250 years ago in 1776.