Veterans Day arrived early in the Lehigh County Courthouse Nov. 6 as District Attorney Jim Martin officially dedicated a quilt honoring current and past military members.

The quilt, which was originally presented to the public May 2014, measures 5-1/2-by-7-1/2 feet and contains 240 squares signed by veterans or their family members.

Judy DeWalt, of Dayton, Ohio was responsible for the design of the quilt and Maureen McManus, a member of the Veterans’ Mentor Program Steering Committee and director of Lehigh Valley Pretrial Services, put the final touches on the quilt.

“May this quilt always be a reminder of the freedoms we cherish and the men and women who helped to sustain those freedoms, often in great cost to themselves,” Martin said.

According to McManus, the project began more than three years ago.

“It started out as a long journey, but a very nice journey,” she said. “It really is a community project. We are very grateful for those who served and who are a part of the quilt.”

The courthouse, Martin noted, is an appropriate location to display the quilt “because many of the rights that our armed forces fought to protect are cited daily in the courtrooms and offices.”

A number of squares also contain the names of participants and mentors in the Veterans Mentor Program. Martin praised the veterans mentor program for positively impacting the lives of county veterans.

The program pairs veterans with mentors who assist with locating employment, furthering education, obtaining housing, remaining drug and alcohol free, accessing veterans benefits and complying with the conditions of bail, house arrest and probation or parole.

“It’s been very successful today,” Martin said of the program. “It’s helped us keep veterans out of prison and on the straight and narrow.”

The veterans quilt is located on the first floor lobby of the Lehigh County Courthouse, 455 W. Hamilton St., Allentown.

“Thank you to everyone who played a role in this. It’s terrific,” Martin added.