The most recent quilts were presented at a ceremony at the Essex Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion ( Branch 201 ) in September . Three local veterans were recognized and thanked with a quilted hug from the ladies of QOVC . Quilts were presented to Maidstone ’ s Joe McLeod , Essex ' s Ed Caza and Tecumseh ' s Jeffery Artale .
Artale has served five tours : one peacekeeping mission in Haiti and four Afghanistan tours . He was injured during service as a Canadian Special Operations Regiment Operator in Afghanistan and . returned home with five medals , including the Sacrifice Medal of Canada .
" It is really nice to feel appreciated ," said Artale . " I really want to thank the ladies of Quilt of Valour . It really is an honour that they ( quilts ) are given out to us wounded vets .” Receiving a quilt is a reminder for these veterans that the people at home love and support them . The vets realize that their sacrifices weren ’ t wasted . “ That makes all of it worth the pain I endured overseas ."
Pauline Gaudette quilted all three quilts given at the last ceremony in Essex . A QOVC volunteer , her father was a WWII veteran who passed away in 2001 . Her father is her inspiration . " I really love meeting the veterans ," said Gaudette . " They have amazing stories to tell ."
Quilt recipients can be nominated by other CAF service members . Each quilt is made to show the appreciation for the soldier ’ s commitment to Canada and its citizens . Each quilt shows Canadian veterans that their country thanks them for their years of being devoted to protecting each citizen at home .
These quilts are not a badge of honour - they are a hug of comfort during what can be a difficult re-entry into everyday life .
Pauline Gaudette and retired veteran Jeffery Artale , in Essex , Ont . at the Royal Canadian Legion ( Branch 201 ) on September . They hold the Quilt of Valour that Gaudette gifted to Artale for his service in the Canadian Armed Forces