Valour recognized
Summerside veteran receives Quilt of Valour for service in Second World War
It was 1944, when Fred Gallant returned home from the war, sitting on a train seat as it came screeching into Wellington Station.
He had spent eight months on the front in Ortona, Italy; a battle that took his right arm. And before that, he was injured in Sicily during his first days in action as a member of the West Nova Scotia Regiment. When he stepped off the train, it was a welcome beftitting a king.
The local businesses had closed in order to meet him at the station.
Several men from the community hoisted him onto their
shoulders and carried him to his parent’s house located next door to the community hall.
Eight years later, while staying
at the veterans’ hospital in Charlottetown, Fred met Thalda.
Today, after more than 60 years together, Fred and Thalda sit hand and hand in a sunny room in Summerset Manor in Summerside.
“I still remember the first day we met. Me and a few friends of mine were going out for a ride and we knew some of the vets could stay until 10:30 p.m., but when I showed up at the hospital, there was no one left there but Fred,” said Thalda with a laugh.
“We’ve been together ever since. We met in June 1952 and by November we were married.”
Still sitting, Thalda releases Fred’s left hand and adjusts the quilt that is draped over his lap.
But it isn’t just any quilt. It is the Quilt of Valour, recognizing Fred for his service in the Second World War.
On Friday, the Lest We Forget Committee presented Fred with his the quilt.
“It’s a great honour,” said Thalda.
“He is so proud. It’s made him smile and that’s rare nowadays,” she added.
“Soldiers and their families made many sacrifices for the war. And seeing those efforts recognized is so special.
“Fred didn’t only battle the war on the front. For years after it was like he was still fighting it. They told me it was shell shock, but I didn’t know any different.”
Thalda hopes the quilts of valour will comfort soldiers.
“It’s a thank you for their service. And it’s fabulous that people think of him enough and made this for him.”
J. Earle Arsenault, who helped present the quilt, remembers the night Gallant came home from the war. “It’s like the whole town came out to see him,” he said. “I was just a young boy when he came home, but I was so proud of him. Everyone was cheering and waiting for him. We just wanted to see him.” Arsenault served 32 years with the Royal Canadian Air Force before retiring.
“To be a part of this and get to present him with the quilt is special,” said Arsenault
“It means so much to be able to do this. To see him, have him recognize me, and even salute. It’s really incredible and it feels so nice.”
The Quilts of Valour – Canada project was started in 2006 as a way to acknowledge the contribution made by injured Canadian Armed Forces veterans and members.