Eleven quilts, 11 strangers thinking of others, 11 veteran or serving Canadian Armed Forces’ members: 11 hugs of thanks for their service. February 21, Quilts of Valour volunteers presented handmade blankets to 11 nominated individuals at the Greenwood Military Aviation Museum.
“This is a wrap-around hug from a grateful nation,” said Quilts of Valour Annapolis Valley representative Mary Ewing with each presentation, draping each unfolded quilt over the shoulders of recipients.
“Thank you so much.”
This was the Valley group’s first major presentation since October, with each recipient and their guests coming in and out of the museum on a full morning’s schedule. Ewing and Master Corporal (retired) Vicky Kruger had the stack of quilts well-organized, representing hours and months of collected volunteer commitment. The local group meets the second Tuesday of every month, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Kingston Legion, with other quilters continuing their work at home between collective work sessions.
“Me and my spouse got a quilt, oh, 2017?” said Kruger, a 25-year CAF member. Her husband served for 35 years. Now, she’s made 44 quilts to give away.
“I’d be making quilts, but what would I do with them? I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll just make them for veterans.’”
Kruger nominated her brother for a Quilt of Valour, but knew she didn’t want to make that one.
“I wanted it to be more meaningful, that a stranger did it – thinking of him and not knowing him. My husband said, ‘Well, there are 44 of yours out there somewhere doing the same thing.’’
Each Quilt of Valour has a sewn label that details the recipient’s name, date of presentation and who made it. All are carefully ID’d. Nationally, Quilts of Valour volunteers have presented over 22,000 quilts since 2006.
Volunteers and Quilts of Valour support is always welcome, whether you iron fabric, sew or help buy fabric and supplies. Recipient nominations are collected nationally, with local quilting groups making the presentations. Find our more at quiltsofvalour.ca
