The passage into death might seem cold, but Freddie Kologie and Carol Bunyard are determined to make it warmer. Using their skills as quilters, the local women provided 25 “passage quilts” for the hospice portion of the Veterans Adminstration Medical Center in Vancouver.

They donate the quilts to the Longview American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 155, and volunteers take them to the medical center.

The creations, which they stitch in shades of red, white and blue, are used to cover the bodies of deceased veterans and then blanket the empty beds for 24 hours after the death. A candle is lighted as a memorial, and the quilts are given to the veterans’ families.

The women heard about the project while making quilts for another veterans’ service, Quilts of Valor. As members of several local hobby groups, including Jolly Awesome Quilts (JAQs), Unfinished Objects (UFOs) and the Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild, Freddie and Carol were accustomed to using their passion to help others.

Another member, Pat Wilson, introduced them to Quilts of Valor. When she died, the American Legion Auxiliary approached Freddie, who lives in Longview, about making passage quilts.

“They gave me Anna Neer’s name,” Freddie said. At the time, Anna was president of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was grateful for the offer.

“They go down to the hospital on the first Thursday of each month and take the quilts down,” Freddie said. “I’ve never been there, but we try to make one quilt each month.”

Freddie pieces the quilt tops, finding different patterns and shades each time.

“Every one of her patterns are different,” Carol said. “I don’t know where she comes up with them.”

Carol, who makes her home in Castle Rock, uses her longarm sewing machine to quilt the top, center the batting and underside the fabric. Her stitches hold the pieces together, and add dimension and pattern.

Freddie said they also are in the process of other veterans’ projects. In their JAQs group, members are making patriotic pillowcases for airplane pillows.

“One airline has donated pillows for the veterans,” Freddie said. “A lot of these veterans come back and they have lost limbs and so forth. They use these pillows to prop up their arms or they put them behind their backs. We’re going to help with that.”

Carol said they are not alone in their quest to assist the men and women of the armed forces.

“There are a lot of people making quilts,” she said. “I heard a story … that had us almost all in tears. They take a lot of these quilts to Germany to the hospitals, and that quilt is (a piece of) home.”

Many people donate fabric for the cause. The material must be in shades of red, white and blue and be 100 percent cotton.

“The girls in my group, even my daughter’s friends, know that we’re doing this, and they’re giving us fabric,” Freddie said.

The knowledge their skills would help comfort grieving families of veterans is what prompted the women to offer their expertise with the passage quilts.

“My late husband was Air Force, he was retired military,” Freddie said. “My three brothers were in the service. I feel that the government takes darn good care of me, and I wanted to do something for our military people.”

Carol said her husband and children served in the military.

“And I have a son-in-law who is a retired colonel in the Army,” she said.

Because they enjoy their hobby, the women said it’s a nice way to help the community.

“That’s my volunteer work,” Carol said. “It’s fun and it’s a good social life.”