UNITY — A May 21, 2022 story on SASKTODAY.ca story outlined the Quilts of Valourprogram, as Si Campbell, Unity’s only Second World War veteran surviving received one in a special presentation.
July 4, another special ceremony was held at Parkview Place in Unity with two more recipients receiving these handmade treasures. George Ward and Karen Oatway were the recipients.
Quilts of Valour began in Canada in 2006 as a way of honouring and saying thank you to service men and women who have fought overseas to help keep peace and security in our country. Each veteran who qualifies receives a quilt as a "hug" of thanks. These quilts are put together by volunteers across the country. More information can be obtained at www.quiltsofvalour.ca as well as a link to donate if you are interested.
Since 2006-07, there have been 21,065 quilts produced and presented to veterans who have served overseas.
The attached thank you patches, stitched in the quilt, state, “Handmade with love, respect and gratitude for your sacrifice to Canada. May the hugs stitched into this quilt give you comfort, strength and love. Thanks for all you have done for our country. God Bless you all. Made and quilted by Marie Carlson, Lyne Park, and Alice Perrault.”
Elizabeth Andrews, from Pense, Sask. made her second trip to Unity for the Quilts of Valour presentation organization. In a previous interview, Andrews said, “I have been involved with Quilts of Valour since 2019. I don't have any direct military connection as many reps do, but my love of quilting and my desire to do something volunteer upon my retirement led me to get interested in the local (Regina) group who were quilting at the time (2017-18) and when the rep who was serving at the time decided to retire as a rep, she asked me to take over. She remains involved in the quilting process.
“It is extremely rewarding to see the appreciation that is shown us when they have the quilt laid over their shoulders as a 'hug' of thanks for their service. Unfortunately, many of the veterans returning in the last decade or so have been suffering from wounds that are not necessarily apparent on the surface (PTSD, etc.) and we like to recognize them as well.”
Oatway qualified as a recipient as she did a tour of duty in Egypt in 1976. Ward served in Cyprus in 1979-80.
Ward described the presentation of the quilts as a “short, sharp, military – but not military – ceremony.” He was pleased Legion members were present as well as some people he had personally invited and said there was “some nice visiting” afterwards.
Oatway also thought the afternoon was lovely and had a former neighbour and a friend attend to witness the event. Because Parkview Place showcased the presentations on its Facebook page, Oatway also received many messages of congratulations from former comrades from across Canada.
Ward described his quilt as “beautiful, extremely well-made,” and he was pleased it was made by a local person – Nina Burnell.
Oatway was also pleased with her quilt, describing it as a “hug rug,” made by Carolyn Bulcke and Shannon McGilvery. She found the inscription on the label heartwarming.
