When Tim MacDougall received his Quilt of Valour, he joined over 24,000 Canadian veterans to receive one since 2006.
On Sept. 27, he was also a part of New Brunswick’s largest presentation ceremony, where he was honoured with 49 other veterans.
His first reaction was one of gratitude.
“It was just a very nice gesture and lets you know that the public appreciates what you sacrificed and what you’ve done for your country.”
MacDougall’s wife nominated him for a quilt back in 2021 and she joined him at the ceremony.
It was a small, private presentation, which he appreciated, said MacDougall. His presenter also read a small file describing his service, which included 24 years with the Regular Force. He completed tours in Cyprus, Bosnia and Afghanistan.
“It was just something I always wanted to do,” he said. “I absolutely loved being a soldier.”
MacDougall described the quilt as beautiful and very special. It brought back memories of his time serving Canada.
“If I had to do it all over again, I’d do it the exact same way,” he said. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”
One of the volunteers behind the Quilts of Valour program is Marty Forsythe, the District Director for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Forsythe started as a presenter but now manages all incoming requests for quilts in his region.
“It’s a lot of work getting everything and making sure people get the quilts, but it’s such a rewarding experience seeing the families that are there [and] the pictures they take,” he said.
“The emotions from the members receiving their quilt is just beyond.”
When Forsythe first came on as District Director a few years ago, they were behind on 350 requests for quilts. Much of his job has been pushing to get that number down. This year, he estimates they have presented 100 quilts. Since the Sept. 27 event, he has already received 25 more requests.
While Forysthe enjoys his administrative duties, he said “the cherry on top” is the presentations, which he describes as a worthwhile cause and an emotional time. Just this month, he presented a quilt to a 94-year old veteran.
“We wrap the quilt around them like a hug from a grateful nation,” he said.
Lynne Mersereau has a different background with Quilts of Valour and it started over 10 years ago in North Bay, Ontario. She began by making quilts for another community a few hours away, which inspired her to get involved in her town.
“I got the bright idea, ‘well, my goodness, we live in a military town. Why are we sending them to somebody else?’” Mersereau said.
She became the representative for a large region that covered North Bay to Sault Ste. Marie to Petawawa. Upon moving back to New Brunswick, she and her husband took some time off from quilting. It wasn’t until a friend requested that she present a quilt this past February that she realized she missed the initiative.
“It’s given me a real purpose in my life,” she said. “I’m 81 years old, so I’m not a young person, but it has really given me a purpose.”
To her, it’s the time, effort and money that ‘everyday’ people, not military-based communities, put into making the quilts, that make the program so special. It’s not uncommon for tears to be shed at the ceremonies, she said.
Each month, Mersereau bands together a group of quilters for a sew day at the New Maryland Centre. Some volunteers bring sewing machines, some iron on patches, some help make the quilting kits and some come to socialize. Whatever the action might be, there is room for all and they’ve developed great friendship, she explained.
Mersereau also tries to do two to three presentations at each sew day, to help volunteers see how their work is making an impact.
“It just gives you such warmth in knowing how you’re helping people feel better,” she said.
Presenting can be very emotional for both the families and the presenters and she describes it as the “best feeling.”
“One man said to me, ‘this quilt means more to me than all the medals I received,’” she said. “That was powerful.”
