Grati-Tuesday 24 June

Hi all,

Only a few thank you messages today.  

Please don't forget to let me know if you hear from a recipient so that I don't have to email them and chase them up to make sure their quilt has arrived.  Sending all those individual emails is very time consuming so if I can cut down on a few that would be great.  

Also, if you do receive a thank you please share it if you can so that I can share it on the blog to encourage those who do not hear from their recipients.  I always remove all the personal information and identifying information.  If I think there is anything that is worth sharing but maybe sensitive I always check with the recipient and so far noone has ever said no.  In fact, most people are very enthusiastic about their message of thanks being shared.

..................

Dear Lynda, 

Thank-you very much for the quilt you sent to me, it was quite a surprise! I received it while in Dubai just a few days ago. It is quite hot here as summer is just beginning, however I know it will get good use back in Sydney when we return in winter. It will be something unique to remember this deployment by. 

We have had quite a busy and long deployment though we have seen and done some incredible things that I never thought I would have had the chance to do and also had the chance to visit some amazing countries. After leaving Sydney early January we transited around to Fremantle to pick up stores and ammunition. From here we stopped in at Kochin, India for some official functions and for some r+r before starting our official operation. Other countries we have visited include Tanzania and Muscat. 

Our average time at sea has been 4 weeks. During our operation we have seized over 6 tonnes of narcotics being smuggled illegally, coordinated a medical emergency onboard a merchant vessel, responded to possible pirate attacks on shipping vessels and been involved with a couple of Safety Of Life at Sea (SOLAS) incidences. It is nice knowing we have made a good contribution in the efforts to keeping the waters safe. 

The last 6-8 weeks is often the hardest, because even though there is not much time left before you get to see your loved ones, it still feels so far away. Thank you for all your efforts that you have put in to make such beautiful quilts and laundry bags, I know a lot of people around the ship have been thrilled to receive them and you have done a great job of keeping morale high. Also thanks for the chocolates, they are a treat among the crew and best enjoyed when shared! 

.....

Good morning/afternoon Mary 

 

I just wanted to send you this email to say thank you for your hard work on making my quilt, and laundry bag!  They are both amazing pieces of work and I truly appreciate every bit of effort you have put into them as they have come out beautifully!  The only downside is that it's too hot right now to use the quilt hahaha however, I will be using it the first night I get back into Australia as I'm told the weather is rather freezing hahaha.

I am doing well on my deployment, lots of interesting things you find out once you go, learning the cultures and adjusting to being out of your "home" environment was a big challenge for me as being a younger person myself (21yrs old). However you get heaps of support for your work mates and from people like you who send us care packages and these very beautifully designs quilts.  It makes the time away from home just that little bit easier.

Once again thank you very much for your hard work and effort you have put into making these quilts. I gather it must be hard doing this on top of your normal work routine but I definitely appreciate the hard time you have put in to making it for me.

Thank you

.....

Hello, 

I would just like to gave a big thanks to Jan-Maree, Lynn, Robin, Evelyn and anyone else involved in AHQ who makes the quilts (and Laundry Bags) come to life. 

I'm currently in the RAN on deployment in the middle-east. Jan-Maree will remember me because I've sent correspondence to her to help brainstorm ideas for the theme I requested. I received the final product in the ship's mail, a little over a week ago now, in Dubai and might I say that the end result is beautiful, I'm ecstatic to bring it home and show my fiance what you came up with when I see her in a month and a half. 

The effort put into it is beautiful and I'm waiting until I'm with my fiance so I can take a photo of it and send it to you. 

Its the small things that make moments memorable and its people like everybody at AHQ that help achieve that. 

Kind regards

.....

Dear Sandra, 

Thank you so much for your quilt I absolutely love it, you have done an amazing job.  I have been on board for 1 year and have been in the Navy for 6 years.  I enjoy my job and my time at sea though being away from loved ones for extended periods of time does get hard. Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into this quilt I will cherish it for as long as I have it.

.....

This email was to me but the recipient has also made the effort to write letters to the three quilters who contributed to his quilt, Louise, Maureen and Debbie

I received my quilt the other day and I must say it has far exceeded my expectations! The detail looks great. Thank you so much for your efforts, I know I didn't exactly make it easy for you and your team! 

.....

The message I got with this was "he loves it" and he is smiling behind the bag!  

.....

Dear Louise,

I just wanted to write a short message to say a big thank you for the quilt you helped make for me. I couldn’t be happier with it, and it has far exceeded my expectations! I can honestly say the work you all do is appreciated, and puts a smile on the face of every soldier who receives a quilt.

At 21 years old this is my 3^rd year in the army and my first deployment to Afghanistan.

The support from people like yourself back home is what makes serving my country all the more meaningful.

Thank you again for my quilt! Stay safe and best wishes.

.....

And this email was for a quilt made by Michelle :-)

Good morning Jan-Maree,

My Quilt arrived a couple of days ago, it is beautiful.

It has great colours and a picture of a Sheppard on the front, 

I would like to say thank you very much to all of you, you 

all do a great job and it is very much appreciated.

Thank you once again it means a lot.

Cheers,

.....

Have a good night.

Till next time...................keep spreading the word and happy stitching.  JMxx