Highlights
from APRIL 2012 - (researched
by Janine C)
Aussie Hero Quilts are not a work of art,
but a work of the heart.
POSTING April 2012: April was a month of bulk posting of
quilts and laundry bags. When Jan-Maree
told the Senior Chaplain in the Middle East that 160 laundry bags and at least
125 quilts were on the way, his response was
"WOW! WOW! That's totally amazing. Please thank all the women who
help with the AHQs."
IMPORTANT MESSAGE: This message from Jan-Maree on the
blog that month is one we all need to remind ourselves of: ' I should caution you just a little not to get
too disappointed if you don't hear back from whoever receives your
parcels. It seems to really depend on
where the individual soldiers are stationed and what sort of conditions they
are living in. As an example, when the
Gumnut quilters sent off the original 23 quilts, 15 were for the lovely Warrant
Officer and his group. The rest went to
other soldiers - no idea who - but 8 soldiers received quilts and we have only
ever heard from one. There could be a good reason for this. The messages we do
receive are so heart warming and appreciative that you know that all the quilts
are appreciated even if not all of the recipients are in the position to express
it. '
THE ROLL: Jan-Maree tried to create a Sewer's
Roll as people kept asking her how many ladies were sewing for Aussie Heroes
and she had no idea, but realised she could never make a perfect list as new
people were joining in every week.
NAME IDEAS:
There was some discussion at that time on what to call those who sew for
Aussie Hero Quilters as Jan-Maree was not comfortable with Aussie Hero
Sewers. Some suggestions on the list
were - Aussie Hero Divas, Aussie Hero Darlings, Aussie Hero Friends, Aussie
Hero Angels, Aussie Hero Sheilas, Aussie Hero Kylies .... and everyone had to
wait until May to hear the decision - for those who don't remember last April, you'll have to wait until last May.
A SPECIAL GOAL: The Singleton Quilters set themselves
a goal to make 60 quilts. Apparently a local lad was serving in Afghanistan and
they set a goal to make 60 quilts so they could send one to each member of his
team. It was a successful task for them and below are some of the quilts.
MAGAZINE: In April 2012 the Down Under Quilts Magazine,
Issue 152, included a mention of Aussie Heroes on Page 7 ,explaining briefly
what we do and how to get involved. It may have been the first time AHQ was
seen in print - exciting for everyone!
REQUESTS: A special request came in for a quilt for a
VIP named Private Belvedere - just a small quilt was needed as Belvedere is the mascot - turtle! So cute. Photos next month.
Another
request came from a man serving with SOTG in Afghanistan. He said, "A few
nights ago my Padre presented a beautiful quilt and laundry bag made by you
great folk at Aussie Hero Quilts. Not
only would I love to have one of these quilts for my bed space over here I
would also love to give it to my 11 year old daughter on my return to Australia
later in the year. I think she would love it as a keepsake for the time that
her Dad was away."
Of
course Jan-Maree wrote back and promised a quilt and a laundry bag and offered
to make the quilt relatively gender neutral so that it would be acceptable for
him during his time over there and then still suitable for his daughter.
The
reply came back, '"Thank you so much for your quick response. Again your
very kind words have made an old soldiers heart skip a beat and raised his
morale tenfold. Please don't be too concerned about making the quilt
"gender neutral" because after 20 yrs there is not too much of a hard
time these lads could give me that I haven't heard before."
ANZAC DAY 2012:
After sending Anzac Day messages from AHQ to the troops Jan-Maree
received this reply.
A
response came an army Corporal:
Thank you for sharing this with me and I am hopeful
that you don't mind me passing these words on. This morning I stood here on
foreign ground to remember all those who have fallen for our country, those who
have been injured and those who have and are still serving in all parts of the
world. I must say today being away from home and my children not only
made the real reason of ANZAC day ring true in my ears, it made tears as it
does every year run down my face. So to hear these words of support to us
serving members is wonderful and touching. God Bless you all.
and a reply from a Warrant Officer:
Well we are about half way through or ANZAC day
here and to be honest it is one of the most remarkable ANZAC days I have ever
had. To be paying tribute to the fallen in the country that they have paid the
ultimate sacrifice is a feeling that is very hard to describe. The mixed
emotions of pride and sadness come over you at different times but to be
with mates you have shared the battlefield with is very satisfying.
I hope you have had a great day yourself and you and your loved ones are
well.
The kind words you have sent from your "Army" of workers have been
passed on to the boys and they are very grateful. To know that people, from all
generations, are supporting us in our task is not only encouraging but also
very humbling. We really do thank you and your crew from the bottom of our
hearts.
As I watch the celebrations from back home, and
from around the world for that matter, it is pleasing to see that the young people
are going to carry this tradition well into the future and beyond. To see
them in places such as Gallipoli, France and Turkey and of course Australia
really is fantastic. You would have to be an extremely hard person if those
pictures didn't bring a tear to the eye and a swelling to the heart. The
ANZAC's are in very good hands.
On behalf of the SOTG I wish to thank you and your AMAZING staff again for
EVERYTHING they are doing for the men over here. I fear that these words in an
email can never really express the gratitude we wish to express to you all.
Please pass on our thanks and best wishes to all your ladies and may they be
safe and always free from harm.
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PHOTOS from APRIL 2012:
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| Pinwheel blocks - March BOM |
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| Singleton Quilters' Group |
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| More quilts from the Singleton Quilters Group |
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| Laundry Bags by Verandah Post Patchworkers |
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| Laundry bags by CAZ |
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| Debra's quilts |
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| Quilt by Marienne |
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| A golfing quilt for the Head Chaplain by Jan-Maree |
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| Flag laundry bag by LIZ |
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| Flag quilt by LIZ |
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| Laundry bags by RHONDA |
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| BOM for April 2012 |
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| April BOMs on quilt wall |
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| Crazy scrap quilt by Rita |
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| Pinwheel quilt |
Till next time.................keep spreading the word and happy stitching!
As always, a very special post.
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