Elizabeth honoured to be wrapped in quilt
Brandy Creek resident Elizabeth Wishart has wrapped herself in a quilt of love and thanks after it was gifted to her from the Quilts of Valour Foundation.
Drouin woman Margie Tylie presented the quilt to Elizabeth. Margie said her contribution to the quilts was only small but she liked to help her friend, Harkaway resident Helen Comport, who started the Australian branch of Quilts of Valour in 2010.
Margie said when Elizabeth returned from deployment in Afghanistan and was suffering the traumatic effects of war, she was supported by the Longwarry Vietnam Veterans.
The LVV members were again there to support her when Margie presented the quilt to Elizabeth.
“They are an amazing bunch of men. These leather clad bikies sat in silence as I told them the story of how Quilts of Valour began,” she said.
Helen began the Australian branch after her son, who was serving in Afghanistan, was airlifted to a German hospital.
“He was so touched by a quilt given to him by the American Quilt of Valor, that Helen was inspired to establish an organisation in Australia based on this foundation.
“In its short existence, QOV Australia has presented hundreds of quilts to returned service personnel suffering the effects of war,” she said.
Many quilting groups have become involved and everything is donated.
Margie said the quilt was a powerful gift of love, representing the love and gratitude of the maker, the community and the nation.
“We hope that Elizabeth felt our love and gratitude as we wrapped her in her quilt and thanked her for her service, sacrifice and valour,” Margie said.
The quilts made by Quilts of Valour are presented by the Australian Defence Force.
The quilts often incorporate an Australian theme. Many quilts are held by the ADF in Afghanistan to be presented to injured soldiers before they are evacuated.
Quilts have been presented to all soldiers injured, and the families of soldiers killed, on duty since 2012. More quilters on board would mean more quilts to give.