This past weekend, quilters and stitchers at a retreat in Westlock, AB, had the honour of seeing a Quilts of Valour Canada presentation to retired Corporal Mark Norman. The Hug Quilt was presented by Diana Cole, Co-ordinator – Team 6 (AB/NWT).
The presentation was attended by Hank Boss (and his wife), who nominated Mark to receive the quilt. Mark and Hank served together in the 3Mech Commando in Germany. They are long-term friends and now neighbours here in Alberta.
At the presentation, Diana Cole provided background on Mark’s 25-year service history in the army, including eight years in combat and 17 years as a physical education instructor.
If 25 years of service is not impressive enough, after retirement in 2003 Mark founded the Canadian Fallen Heroes Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to honouring the memory of Canada’s Fallen Heroes by sharing their stories and ensuring that all Canadians have free and easy access to our military history.
In collaboration with both private and public organizations, the Foundation preserves a soldier’s memory on a commemorative plaque. There are currently 75,014 oak-framed and metal art plaques in 11,000 cities and towns in Canada and around the world, in legions, museums, government buildings, schools, and many other public locations. Each memorial plaque includes an image of the solider, their story, and an inspiring quote.
So, is a quilt just a quilt? When giving a quilt to a family member, friend, co-worker, new baby, or someone you don’t know (charity quilt), that quilt can bring warmth (physically and heart-felt), happiness, amazement, sadness, gratefulness. But is that all the gift of a quilt can do? Absolutely not, and the Hug Quilt presentation proves it. The Hug Quilts provides support, thankfulness, healing, and connections for our serving members and veterans. All of this tells me a quilt is not just a quilt!
The word honoured was used at the beginning of this blog. Why? Well, speaking only for myself and, I hope, others at the presentation as well, I am a proud Canadian and a proud quilter. There is a long line of military members in my family, from before my grandfather, including my husband (now retired) and my brother-in-law (currently serving). Knowing that there are organizations such as Quilts of Valour Canada and Canadian Fallen Heroes there to provide love, support, and memorials will ensure our current members and veterans are recognized and that the injured and fallen will not be forgotten.
Quilts of Valour Canada is a volunteer organization supporting injured Canadian Armed Forces members past and present, with quilts of comfort. When being presented with a quilt, it is ‘A hug from a grateful nation’ as per Lisa Compton, President QOV Canada. They have presented almost 25,749 quilts—plus one as of this past weekend!
