A comforting show of appreciation
July 20, 2012
Serving overseas is something most Canadian Forces members look forward to doing with pride. However, no one hopes to be wounded or sustain injuries. When that happens, it is comforting to know that people care.
After Corporal Pres Lavier, a flight engineer with Edmonton-based 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, sustained injuries in a CH-147 Chinook helicopter crash while serving in Afghanistan, it was touching to be recognized by a Canadian organization called Quilts of Valour Canada.
“Receiving the quilt was great; it was an honour,” said Cpl Lavier.
“Quilts of Valour Canada is a way for Canadian quilters to give our armed forces members – land, sea and air, veterans, reservists and military support people – a hug from a grateful nation,” explained Lezley Zwaal, founder of Quilts of Valour Canada.
“Quilt makers from across the country deliver quilts to quilting contacts who have made military contacts with the support units, padres and family resource centres across the country. We do not know who is going to receive the quilts; we leave the presentation (sometimes formal, sometimes not) to those military contacts.
“We also get quilts to veterans in the care facilities, and go through various social related groups who are getting Quilts of Valour quilts to homeless veterans,” she added. “At the moment we are getting connected with groups such as Soldier On.
“What we are finding is that as the quilts are being given, the recipients are aware of others who would benefit from the support felt when a complete stranger had made the effort to create the gift of appreciation for keeping our country free. We hope the quilted hug will help those injured heal.”
Cpl Lavier’s mother is one of the quilters who donates quilts to the program. She nominated her son for a quilt, which Ms Zwaal presented to him in Edmonton in March.
“My mom was out visiting from Ontario and was a part of the presentation,” said Cpl Lavier.
“It’s a good feeling that people are thinking about those getting hurt,” he continued.
Quilts of Valour Canada continues to seek deserving recipients. More information about the organization can be found on their website at www.quiltsofvalour.ca.
