Hi Quilters,
On Sunday March 24, I attended a town hall meeting for Mefloquine Toxicity Awareness. (Check it out. It is an appalling story that needs more attention.) Anyway, there were 250 or more people in the audience, service men, service women and their families. At the end of the presentation, I was given the opportunity to talk about Quilts of Valour Canada, our mission and our work, and to present a quilt to John Dowe who served Canada in Somalia and returned home with unspeakable injuries. We took him completely by surprise! He was completely taken aback by the presentation and was visibly moved. He told me that the quilt was an “instant heirloom”, that it was “more important to him than his medals”.
After the presentation, I had a number of people approach me to talk to me about QOV, people who had already received quilts and wanted to say thank you to all the quilters who pour their hearts into these works of compassion. I had one man approach me because he didn’t have anyone to nominate him and he wanted to know if he could purchase one of our quilts (the answer is “no they are not for purchase, but yes, you are now on my list of recipients awaiting a quilt”. I was one quilter receiving words of gratitude that were directed to hundreds of quilters, quilters like you who provide a warm hug from a grateful nation. I want to try to express to you just how important these quilts are.
As Robbie often says, “quilters sit down at their machines with thoughts of peace and warmth and love, and those positive emotions are stitched into our seams.” Please know that your contributions to Quilts of Valour are deeply appreciated. Each quilt is a hug and a thank you that reminds a wounded veteran that the Canadian people respect the sacrifices that have been made.
Thank you!
!
Ottawa Region: Quilts of Valour - Canada 