BURNS, Ore. – In April, Oregon State University Extension 4-H Youth Development in Harney County came together to give back to those who have fought for our freedom.

The nine members of the Stitching Sisters 4-H club pledged their hearts to greater loyalty and their hands to larger service by sewing tote bags for veterans who were preparing to travel to Washington, D.C. as part of the Honor Flight Network.

The Honor Flight Network is a national nonprofit organization consisting of independent hubs that come together to achieve the Honor Flight Mission: “To celebrate America’s veterans by inviting them to share in a day of honor at our nation’s memorials.” Through this mission, the nation shows our veterans the gratitude and appreciation they deserve.

Through these sponsored trips, veterans have the opportunity to remember those who they served with and those who had fallen. They also get to share their stories.

On April 17, the Stitching Sisters 4-H club, under the direction of leader Suzy Kaser and her part-time assistant and husband, Navy veteran Kurt Kaser, sewed a carry-on bag for a deserving veteran. Through this service activity, the 4-H’ers learned how to use a sewing machine and how they can use their skills and resources to serve their communities, all while showing respect toward military veterans.