Thanks on Thursdays... which should have been a Grati-Tuesday....

Hmmm I was sure I published this on Tuesday but it seems not.  Oh well, you can enjoy these messages just as much today as last Tuesday.  Here you go....
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Good afternoon Noelene,

I am writing to say a massive thank you for the amazing laundry bag. I was ecstatic to receive a parcel and proudly opened the parcel in my workplace. Everyone was extremely impressed by your skill and imagination. I am humbled to have someone on the other side of the world create something so thoughtful. You I am truly in awe of your good character, values, compassion and charity. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your letter and have already commenced devouring the tim tams J

I’m currently working in the combined headquarters in Kabul Afghanistan. I work in the green zone, where all the embassies are located. It is a small base but has almost everything I need.  

Wonderful to hear you are in Queensland and have previously lived in WA and Sydney. I grew up in Perth, WA, learnt to fly helicopters in Toowoomba QLD and flew Blackhawks in Sydney for 4 years. I’m actually based in Canberra but will return to Sydney next year.

Please see attached a photo of me in front of ANZAC Cove with the bag. I printed you a copy, but I know an electronic version might be better! The cove is like our home away from home. It has Australian wifi, a coffee machine and has the highest density of Australians so it actually feels like home!

Once again, thank you so much for your amazing gift. It has been the highlight of my month!

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Dear Kerry

Thank you so much for the beautiful laundry bag and treats. I am looking forward to having the monte carlo biscuits – one of my absolute favourites! It is such a treat to receive mail and get a letter from Australia.

I have four children

L lives in Melbourne.  She is studying journalism, the boys and Tare at home in uni and school (Year 6 for T). T is visiting L in Melbourne this weekend for Easter and were hoping to drive to say thank you in person on my behalf – tomorrow ! if you are home?

It was a last minute plan so if it doesn’t suit that is absolutely fine they wanted to go for a drive to the beaches and thought they would drop in if convenient.

Thank you again for the bag and the treats.

Kind regards,
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Well... it might have been planned at short notice but the planets aligned and Kerry was lucky enough to meet T and L, daughters of her recipient on Saturday. 
Kerry said it was "such an emotional morning"

I always tell the volunteers that it is not until they meet a recipient, and not necessarily their own, before they really understand the impact of what we do. 

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Good morning from Afghanistan (afternoon in Australia),

I am writing to say a massive thank you for the maazing quilt from Sue N and the whole team at Aussie Hero Quilts. I’m honoured to have received something so special, memorable and unique. I truly appreciate the time, effort and money that your organisation has committed to improve and brighten my deployment. It now proudly sits on my bed and brings a smile to my face after I finish every shift.

Please find attached a picture of the awesome quilt out front of the Australian NSE (our home away from home). 

Thank you for your service, and charity, I won’t forget this act of kindness.
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Dear Ruth,

I received my UN Flag laundry bag the other day. It is beautiful! Thank you so much. Thanks for the Tim Tams too.

I am currently deployed to Juba, South Sudan on the United Nations Peace Keeping mission here. This is my second deployment with the Australian Army. The first was to Iraq in 2007.

Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

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Hi Kylie,

Thanks so much for the time and effort you put into the laundry bag you sent me.

It looks absolutely amazing and blew out all my expectation, you’ve done a great job and I love all the doggos on there.

Best of wishes Kylie.

Thanks again for your much appreciated effort. Its put a big smile on my face :D

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Good morning Ann,

I am writing to express my sincerest gratitude for the laundry bag which you and your group were kind enough to make for me. I am deeply touched, as are the entire crew of HMAS Sirius, for all of the time and energy you put into making these bags for complete strangers; it warms my heart and makes me proud to defend our country for people like you and your friends. It is through your continued support that we can continue to do our jobs as ambassadors and protectors of this great country. I cannot disclose our current location or activities, but rest assured that your bag has already travelled several thousand miles and been to many countries.

Please continue to support our servicemen and women as gestures like this mean the world to us.

Please pass on my thanks to the rest of the crew at Krazy Daze Kwilters.

Thank you for the kinds words in your letter, all my best to yourself and Murray, may you both be kept safe and well.

Kind regards,

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Good Morning Jan-Maree,

I was very surprised to come back from my leave to find a package waiting for me on my bunk rack. Thank you and the Aussie Hero Quilt organisation very much for finding the time and effort to make a laundry bag for me and the countless others who are overseas away from their families. I was not sure what to expect but I love the Pokemon patterns it takes me back to my childhood days when Pokemon first came out. I took a photo and showed it to my wife back in Perth and she loves it. I almost don’t want to use it because it looks so nice.

Getting these gifts while away is a great thing. I have done many overseas deployments and It means a lot to receive a package. Knowing that someone has taken the time and effect to put something together makes these long trips go easier.

I enjoyed your letter. It was interesting to read about your own military service and what inspired you form Aussie Hero Quilts. So I thank you for your service and the support you provide.

Regards,

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Hi Beverly,
I received my quilt today and it looks fantastic. Thank you very much for what you do, it means a lot.
I hope that you and your family have a great Easter.
Thanks again.
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Hi Melissa,

Sending a photo of myself using the lovely laundry bag that you made for me.  Thank you so much,  receiving the quilts and bags from the amazing Hero Quilt ladies really brightens our day.  I have sent you a card,  not sure if it would have got to you yet but wanted to say another thank you.  Kind regards

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Dear Bridget,

I have sent this letter to you as an email to let you know soonest how much I appreciate the quilt and laundry bag you made for me.

I received it yesterday, however I have been away for a few weeks so it actually arrived sooner than that. First of all thank you very much for being able to put them together so quickly. Secondly, I could not be happier with what I saw when I opened the box. What you have put together is exactly what I was after, and I can't thank you enough for that. It is perfect.

It sounds like you have a lovely family. I wish I had more opportunities to travel, especially as your daughter has. The few times I have been to Europe have always taught me very valuable lessons, and I have no doubt she learned a lot herself, which she can apply in whatever area she decides to direct her focus. It's great that she is sewing too, it is a lovely cause, and very noble. All of the people I have spoken to here really appreciate the efforts of all of the people like you, who take the time to support soldiers living in trying conditions, and providing personalised support with a kind and human touch. I am happy to hear about your son as well.  My sister was in a similar position and fared much better after starting at TAFE. I wish him the bet of luck in his future endeavours, and continued happiness.

I am married, and my wife and I have a 2 year old son. My wife and I both have an appreciation of art, and the design of the quilt holds a special significance for us. I chose it so that she will also have a fond memory of my deployment every time she sees it. The time apart has been quite trying for her, and I can tell you now that she was very happy when she saw the quilt. My son, rather like me, likes to watch Batman, so it was with him in mind that I selected the design for the bag. I will think of him every time I use it while I am here, and when he uses it when I am back home I hope it helps him come to grips with my absence.

Thanks again for the hard work in putting this together for me. I am very thankful for your efforts, and my family is too. I will treasure them always.

Regards,

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Hi Jenny,

I received the wonderful AHQ that you made for me in the post today. I absolutely love it. It’s exactly what I was hoping for. 

I’m 33 and am currently on my first overseas deployment. I’m an Army Officer and am currently leading a small specialist team over here.

My fiancé and I live in Brisbane. He’s in the Army as well so understands better than most what it’s like to be deployed. 

It’s an honour to serve and I’m really proud to have the privilege of leading a team of soldiers on operations. Something our Commander told us at the start of the tour is that we do this so others don’t have to. Whenever it gets hard, I remember that, and I think about my friends and family back home, living in a great country like Australia, and it makes it that little bit easier. 

Thank you so much for the quilt. It will be a wonderful reminder for me of my time here. 

Kind regards, 

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Hi Rose,

I just wanted to write a letter thanking you for the quilt you made for me, it truly brought me joy when I opened the package and saw it for the first time. I am heading home to see my loved ones after what has felt like a very long seven months away from home and have been blown away by the messages and gifts I have received from fellow Australian's while I have been overseas. 

I haven't brought myself to use the quilt yet as I think it is far too beautiful, it is far more deserving of a nice clean bed back home where my guests can admire it and ask how I came to get it.

I hope you and all of your family are well and again thanks for the gift and kind message.

Regards,

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Dear Philomena,

Thank you for the time and effort you took to make the lovely quilt I received, it’s beautiful and better than I could have hoped.

Funny story is I actually missed the deadline for requesting a quilt and when yours arrived I was incredibly surprised, even more so when I saw that it was personalised.

Turns out my mother who knew about the awesome work you all do and saw how disappointed I was to miss the order, ordered one on my behalf.

You sound well travelled, before the navy I had not even been out of Australia, now I’ve been all over south east Asia, the Middle East and for my recent mid deployment leave to England. Snorkeling and scuba diving are fun, I plan on getting my dive ticket when I get back.

Once again, thank you. Everyone gets so excited when they receive a quilt and the level of effort put into them and the smiles on people’s faces is priceless.

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Clarissa

Thankyou so much for the laundry bag you made. I and the rest of the band are very appreciative of this gift and the work you do for our service men and women.

I'll be using it on the next course I attend.

Regards
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Hello Noelene!

                What a surprise it was for me to receive such a lovely laundry bag so Fast! I am so thankful for you making it, it is very special. I love the llama’s, frangipani’s and butterflies and whole bag!!

     Thank you so much!!

And how special with the frangipani fabric!

I received my package yesterday (25 MAR) and showed all of my friends here and back home! It really makes a difference to have something lovely sent and made for us ALSO, thank you for the letter and snacks

                I hope I hear back from you

Kind regards,

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Hi Ruth,

Just a quick email to thank you for the Laundry Bag which you’ve made for me, I love it!

Mine was the British Flag with the London Bus which you made so well so a thousand thanks for your work and time. I’ve taken a photo and sent it to my wife too who also loves it!

Many thanks again.

Kind regards,

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Hi Ruth,

I just wanted to write a letter thanking you for the laundry bag you made for me, it truly brought me joy when I opened the package and saw it for the first time. I am heading home to see my loved ones after what has felt like a very long few months away from home and have been blown away by the messages and gifts I have received from fellow Australian's while I have been overseas. 

I haven't brought myself to use the laundry bag yet as I think it is far too beautiful, it is more deserving of being framed upon return home!

I hope you and all of your family are well and again thanks for gift and message.

Regards

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Good Afternoon Robyn,

I am a rifleman in the 9th Battalion, Royal Queensland Regiment.

I just wanted to express my thanks for the laundry bag which I received on my recent rotation in Malaysia on Rifle Company Butterworth 124. Hopefully you are pleased to hear that it is put to good use every time I go away on exercises with my unit.

Your farm looks absolutely beautiful! My parents own a small alpaca farm near Bega in NSW, it was a wonderful reminder of home while I was away.

Sorry to add, unfortunately not a Sharks supporter! Hopefully you can forgive me for that haha.

Thanks again,

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Dear Robyn,

I just wanted to send you this email to thank you for the beautiful laundry bag that I received from my husband, a serving member of the ADF.

We are currently living in opposite sides of the world, as I returned to the UK to be with family, whilst he is deployed with HMAS Adelaide.   I hope to return to Australia when his posting is completed.

Your photograph is gorgeous, I can clearly say why it is your little piece of heaven.  I keep it in view in my kitchen, to remind me what a beautiful country Australia is.

Once again, thank you, a great cause.

Kindest regards,

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Good evening Bridget,  I'm currently deployed on Operation High Road.   It is definitely interesting work. 

As they say the days are long but the weeks are short.  Working seven days a week is no different to being at sea but I can't wait to not have to brush my teeth with bottled water and shower in non chlorinated water.   It's the small things that make you realise how lucky we are to live in such as beautiful country.

I'm finally able to see family in mid May when I can take some leave.   I definitely missed them during Easter and hence I was overjoyed to receive your quilt a few days ago.   After a not so nice day it was wonderful to open my present and find an amazing North Melbourne quilt,  and right at the beginning of footy season at home!  Alas I can't parade around in it yet as we are not doing so well on the ladder and the Guardian angels who protect me are Essendon supporters.  Being deployed with other Aussies brings us together but footy will always divide us.

Loved hearing about you and your family and how proud you are of your kids.  Being over here makes you realise just how lucky Aussies are that many kids can test and adjust and discover what makes them happy.  There are no such privileges over here.

Thankyou so much for your efforts,  I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.  It's ANZAC Day here tomorrow with a very meaningful service being on deployment.  I miss home like crazy and it's raining today so tonight I'll wrap the quilt around me and be thankful that people like you care about people like me.

Kind Regards
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Good morning Cath,

First of all, thank you! This week I was the lucky recipient of the Batman themed laundry bag you made towards the end of last year. Also, thank you for the kind words in your enclosed letter. I really appreciate the effort you and all of the others who contribute to Aussie Hero Quilts go to, to put a smile on the face of the men and women who serve in the ADF.

I am the Commanding Officer of HMAS Pirie, an Armidale Class Patrol Boat that regularly deploys as part of Operation Resolute, Australia’s maritime surveillance and fisheries operation.

I admire your work as a high school teacher. I considered leaving the Navy about 6 years ago and becoming a teacher myself. I even started studying at university and completed a couple of practical modules at a school in Hobart. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching and took great enjoyment from helping out the ‘naughty kids’. In the end I decided to remain in the Navy but I learnt some valuable skills through my limited teaching studies and they have helped me greatly in the Navy as we are constantly training those sailors and officers that are junior to us so they can progress through their careers. I think getting your students involved in making laundry bags for Aussie Hero Quilts is a great idea and once my crew all have theirs I will send you a photo of the whole crew with them so you can show your students. Although they may not be the exact bags that they made, they can still see the type of sailor,soldier or airman/women that are the proud recipients of their work and that their effort is greatly appreciated!

It is a genuine honour to have received the laundry bag you made and I will take care of it (well, as well as you can take care of something that is designed to hold dirty undies haha).

Again, thank you.

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G’day Ellen,

Thank you so much for your lovely gift. I received it today. I hope you keep up the amazing work you are doing as it means a lot to us over here.

I am a physical training instructor in the Air Force. I have been serving in the middle east region for a few months now and am looking forward to going home soon.

Once again, thank you very much for your generosity and kindness. It was really nice to hear about you and your family as well.

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Ann,

Firstly, so very many thanks for my quilt and laundry bag – they are just fantastic, perfect colour and whilst I didn’t really have an image in my head, I could not have thought of anything else being better. The bulldog is just right, I am not a fan of the Canterbury Bulldogs, so you go that just right. 

I have been aboard Ballarat for over 2 years, it is an extremely rewarding position being able to lead the ship and be involved in so many of the things that we do. This is my second trip to the Middle East and the first that is nine months long, it is a long time away from home. However, we are very lucky to get two weeks off in the middle and the Navy pays for flights either home or to an overseas destination. 

Our deployment has been very successful, we have mainly been operating to catch drug smugglers. which we have been able to ‘nab’ quite a few of, seizing and destroying heroin and marijuana, which was likely going to make its way to Europe, so we feel like we are making a difference which is always good for morale.

As for me – I enjoy cycling and basketball and also going to the gym, which is good because the gym onboard is one of the few places to ‘get away’ when we are at sea. 

Again, so very many thanks for the quilt, I must say that I found it more touching than I expected and I dare say that the rest of the crew is very much the same, it is a wonderful thing that you all do. I will endeavour to get some ‘group photos’ done when everyone is back from leave to get out to you all.

Thanks again and don’t be shy emailing back – more than happy to drop you a line and let you know how we are all doing for the rest of the deployment.

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Good morning Raeleen.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful quilt I have received. It was a surprise and goes with my laundry bag. I will give it place of honour and it will be a lasting memory for me. 

It certainly is good to be back home.

This was my 6^th deployment missing 3 Christmas, 10 birthdays of myself and children and wife, 3 Easter and 2 anniversaries.  After 40 years ( well almost on 2 October 2019). I will be finishing up at the end of the year to enjoy time with my grandchildren.

My wife is also in the Army and will be deploying later this year to the middle east for 5 months. That will give us almost 11 months apart out of 14 months

I can certainly tell you the joy the laundry bags and quilts give to members and you and all involved should be congratulated for supporting deployed troops brilliantly.

Again thank you. May you have a great Easter and year ahead.

Yours Aye

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Tilll next time..... keep spreading the Aussie Hero word and happy stitching. 

Jan-Maree xx
friendsofAHQ@gmail.com