By Joan Janzen
joanjanzen@yahoo.com

March 28, 2021, marked a special day for Paul Thompson of Eston, Sask. This was when he was the recipient of a Quilt of Valour from the Quilts of Valour Canada Society. The handcrafted quilt was awarded as an act of gratitude to honour Paul’s sacrifice, valour, and service as a Canadian Armed Forces member. Since the pandemic, these quilt presentations resumed on March 15, 2021, thus making the presentation to Paul possible.

Paul’s wife, Mary, said her husband served with the 14 Service Battalion when Mary was the pay clerk. Although Paul doesn’t make a big deal about his service time, he went on tour in Germany, Iraq, Yugoslavia and Croatia. During this time, he not only served but forged many lifelong friendships. It was after this time that Mary and Paul became acquainted.

Paul said he joined the CAF in February of 1981 and retired in October of 2005, a period spanning 24 years. His first tour was in 1983 in Germany. “I was there for eight months. It was only supposed to be for three months, but then they found out I played hockey,” Paul said. “They wanted hockey players for their base team, so they extended my time there for a few months, and I played hockey for the service battalion for Germany. I was also a dispatch rider, delivering messages and such. I was single and 19 years old, so it was good. I used the money I made to attend the University of Calgary.”

While attending university, Paul worked as a reserve class part-time and trained during the summer months at various locations such as Wainwright and Vernon. He graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Art degree in Literature, English and History.

“In 1991, I was in the Gulf of Kuwait for two months. I was refuelling aircraft while there,” Paul explained. In 1993 he had a tour in Croatia. “I went for two months; they were looking for drivers and operators.” Paul also worked as a medic for about five years and being a mobile equipment operator. Paul had another tour in 1994, followed by two back-to-back tours to Bosnia in 1995 and 1996.

When Mary found out about the Quilts of Valour, she thought Paul’s 24-year long military career would qualify him as a good candidate, so she filled out the form online. Within a month, the quilt was delivered to their door.

These quilts are quality-made and handcrafted with love and are essentially the equivalent of a Purple Heart award. Volunteer quilter Marcie Erick made Paul’s quilt. It’s just one of over 180 quilts the society has presented across Canada since forming in 2009.

Volunteers realize that the quilts resonate with so many because it is often received when the service members, whether past or present, are the most vulnerable, with hugs stitched into each quilt to offer comfort and strength.

As for Paul, he loves his quilt and was very surprised when he received it. Mary joked and said, “he won’t even let the cats on it.”

Individuals qualifying to be awarded a quilt have served in wars, peacekeeping missions or general/reserve duty. They have suffered injury or illness as a result of their service, including duty within Canada and abroad. This organization relies on a dedicated team of volunteers from across Canada. Regional representatives serve as a contact point for quilters, quilt groups, quilt guilds and quilt recipients. They also present quilts to military members and veterans.

Group leaders work under the direction of the regional representative for their area. These leaders work with quilters and help with local fundraising. There are four guest designers for Quilts of Valour who donate their time and talent to create beautiful quilt patterns. Profits generated from these patterns go to support Quilts of Valour. Many individuals and businesses also support this worthwhile organization.

In January of 2021, the Quilts of Valour Canada Society began conducting a contest for Canadians who have reached the age of majority in their province. To enter, one must make a complete Quilt of Valour following instructions found on valour.ca/what-we-do site, and send a photo of the completed quilt, along with their name and address, to contest@quiltsofvalour.ca

There is no limit to the number of completed Quilts of Valour one person can submit, and on December 31, 2021, a random draw will be made to select the winner. The grand prize is a Janome 3160 sewing machine valued at approximately $1249.

The organization hopes this contest will help them address the backlog of quilt requests that have continued to come in during the lockdown period. Their priority is to supply the Transition Centres across Canada. This is where injured CAF members are guided in their transition journey back to service, or when it is not possible, to guide them through a successful transition to civilian life.

Mary hopes other vets who served overseas will become aware of and benefit from the Quilts of Valour organization, just as Paul has.

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