Sarah Whitaker Advancement Officer – A hug from a grateful nation.
That is how Quilts of Valour (www. quiltsofvalour.ca) describes the beautiful, handmade quilts they present to Canadian service members, both past and present.
In LCol (retired) Smid’s case, the quilt is also a hug from a grateful Academy.
Quilts of Valour’s mission is to ensure that Canadian Forces members are recognized for their service and commitment to our country which is achieved through the presentation of quilts to comfort past and present service members.
Quilts of Valour, a volunteer organization, began when a quilter presented quilts to three Canadian Forces members who were recovering in hospital from injuries they received while serving in Afghanistan. Since then, Quilts of Valour presents quilts to service members who are injured or ill as a result of their service or who have served in combat and peacekeeping missions.
The quilts are handmade with “love, respect and gratitude” by volunteer quilters and include a quilted-on label showing who the quilt was presented to and who made it.
When staff first heard that LCol Smid was ill and would be away from the school for a period of time they immediately sent messages, emails and cards wishing him well and also put together a little care package.
It was MWO Chris Kivell, a veteran himself who served in the Canadian Forces from 1990 to 2012, who suggested staff also request a Quilt of Valour for the Headmaster.
LCol Smid, who completed four operational tours: to Kosovo in 1999; Bosnia in 2000-2001, Afghanistan 2003-2004 and Lebanon 2017-2018, received his quilt on January 6 from Sean Maher and Bruce Frampton, both veterans themselves. Once it was discovered that they had served in some of the same places LCol Smid’s tours took him to and that they knew MWO Kivell, there was lots to talk about during their visit.
LCol Smid was very proud to have been presented with a Quilt of Valour and pleased and appreciative that staff, at the suggestion of MWO Kivell, requested the quilt for him.
