Four veterans at the Drumheller Legion had the honour to be wrapped in a blanket by their loved ones.
Quilts of Valour is a society that began in Edmonton and presented its first three quilts in 2006. Its mission is to ensure all Canadian military members, past and present, who are ill or injured as a result of their service and sacrifice to our country, are recognized and honoured with a Quilt of Valour.
It became a registered national charity in 2009, and since its inception, it has presented 19,530 quilts across Canada.
These are hand-made quilts made by volunteers to specific criteria. The veterans are consulted.
“All the quilts, when they come in, we have no idea what colour they are or what style. So we ask our veterans to do a really hard thing and talk about themselves and share their hobbies and interests and colour preferences,” said the southern Alberta representative for Quilts of Valour, Lana Butcher.
From the information they gather, they send photos to the potential recipient.
We call it wrapping them in a warm hug of thanks so we ask family and friends, one on each side, to drape the quilt over their shoulders,” said Butcher.
Saturday, October 8, veterans Bob Hannah, Gary Boucher, Ron Evans, and Ed LaPlante were wrapped in a warm hug of thanks as they were presented with their blankets.
Second Vice president of the Legion Lee Caweizel was instrumental in making the Quilts of Valour presentation possible.
