Hand-made hug for injured

Marilyn Fuller, Vancouver Island Representative for Quilts of Valour

Cdr Bradley Peats of NOTC accepts a donation of 50 hand made quilts from Marilyn Fuller, the Vancouver Island Representative for Quilts of Valour.

History and valour melded last Saturday at Fort Rodd Hill during Fab Fort, a celebration of Canada’s military.

Amidst the howitzers, medieval re-enactors, vintage military vehicles and thousands of visitors, two dozen local quilters delivered 50 hand-made quilts for injured veterans and service members.

Accepting the quilts on behalf of the Canadian Forces was Cdr Bradley Peats of the Naval Officer Training Centre.

“The CF is like a family. That family isn’t just its active service members,” said Cdr Peats. “It’s our families, civilian organizations, and grassroots organization like Quilts of Valour that do such remarkable things for service men and women.”

The women of Quilts of Valour have been stitching these hand-made coverlets since 2006, when the organization was founded by Lezley Zwaal of Edmonton, Alberta. Since then, chapters have sprung up all over Canada and delivered more than 1,500 quilts.

The Vancouver Island chapter is headed by Marilyn Fuller, who was on hand to make the Aug. 19 presentation.

“We wouldn’t have what we have if the military didn’t do what they do,” said Fuller, who’s had the opportunity to personally deliver quilts to a number of veterans. She says the meetings often ended in tears of happiness.  “They just didn’t understand that so many people are appreciative of what they do.”

The quilts are created from donated fabric and materials, including two huge boxes of scrap fabric given to Quilts of Valour by Parks Canada. The scrap fabric began as 19th century-style clothing for historic displays and will find new life warming and comforting injured veterans.

“Quilts of Valour is very close to what we do at Fort Rodd Hill,” says Dave King, Manager at Fort Rodd Hill. “The effects of war are often understated, and what these quilts mean to veterans can’t be overlooked.”

Quilts of Valour is always accepting materials donations, and information on the organization can be found at www.quiltsofvalour.ca

Shawn O’Hara, Staff Writer

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  1. Dana says:

    A friend mentioned Quilts of Valour to me awhile back and we were both quite intrigued as we’re both quilters. Her husband is ex-Navy and her son is currently serving. I just joined the Navy and am on my QL3 course right now. We didn’t know there was a Vancouver Island chapter for Quilts of Valour. Thanks for this article and for letting us know about this. I think we’ll be contacting the chapter in the future, as it’s something we both want to be a part of.

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