In a heartfelt display of appreciation and gratitude, volunteers presented veterans and active members of the Canadian military with Quilts of Valour on Sunday, Mar. 10, at 784 Wing Cold Lake.
The event organized by the Quilts of Valour Canada Society, aims to honour the sacrifices and service of these individuals with handmade quilts crafted by volunteers from across Alberta and beyond.
Monique MacInnis, one of the volunteers spearheading the initiative, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Volunteer Bonnie Jo-Clarke and I, will present some veterans and active members of the Canadian military with a quilt of valour.” She emphasized the significance of the quilts describing them as “a thank you and a hug from all of Canada for their service, their time, and their sacrifices.”
“I am honoured to be part of it, and I found out through my husband. I nominated him for a quilt,” MacInnis continued, shedding light on her connection to the initiative. She emphasized the importance of community involvement in the nomination process, highlighting the role of family members, coworkers, and friends in honouring the recipients.
Bonnie Jo-Clarke, a cadet officer, echoed MacInnis’s sentiments, underscoring the significance of showing appreciation for the often-unseen sacrifices made by military personnel. “For me, showing appreciation for the military forces is so important,” she remarked. “The Canadian forces have so much that we won’t see.” Jo-Clarke emphasized the power of the quilts as a tangible symbol of gratitude, stating, “Thank you. We appreciate what you’ve done. It’s a beautiful thank you, and they can wrap it up and hug them to further appreciation.”
The Quilts of Valour initiative traces its roots back to 2006 when a local Edmonton quilter, Lezley Zwaal, presented quilts to three Canadian Armed Forces members recovering from injuries sustained in Afghanistan. Inspired by the profound impact of her gesture, Zwaal went on to establish the Quilts of Valour Canada Society with a mission to recognize and comfort injured Canadian Forces members.
Since its inception, the Quilts of Valour Canada Society has garnered widespread support from volunteer quilters nationwide. Thousands of quilts have been lovingly crafted and presented to recipients coping with visible and invisible injuries. These quilts serve as a tangible expression of gratitude and support from individuals, groups, and guilds nationwide, reflecting a collective appreciation for the bravery and commitment of Canada’s military personnel.
As Monique MacInnis aptly summarized, “Just a little bit of acknowledgement and recognition and getting these quilts… it’s just a huge pat on the back, and it goes a long way.” With the upcoming presentation ceremonies, MacInnis, Jo-Clarke, and fellow volunteers aim to thank those who have served and sacrificed for their country, ensuring their contributions are never forgotten.
Written by: Kiyah Smyl – MyLakelandNow