Grati-Tuesday 29th October 2024

 

Happy Tuesday Friends!

Welcome to the last blog of October

We have some great messages and photos today, so grab a cuppa, sit back and relax while you soak up some well deserved gratitude.

Only 57 sleeps until Christmas Day. 

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Dear Ruth S

I want to extend my gratitude and thankd for the Brisbane Lions themed laundry bag you so kindly made for me. I received the parcel on 26 Sep, which was a fantastic omen for the weekend. What a great day to be a Lions fan! The BBQ shapes were a lovely nostalgic touch too.

I too have a soft spot for Port Adelaide, which extends to all non-Victorian teams. I was fortunate enough to attend the 2023 Grand Final - I travelled all the way from Katherine NT, where I was posted at the time.  It was a fantastic day, regardless of the result. I managed to purchase another ticket this year, so I gifted my ticket to my brother.

Thank you very much for your effort to send over the laundry bag. I am very grateful for kindness in the community that you embody and it makes me incredibly proud to serve this great nation.

Sincerely, 

(For those non-AFL followers - Brisbane Lions beat Sydney Swans in the grand final this year and Collingwood defeated Brisbane Lion in the Grand Final in 2023) 

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Dear Beverly U,

I wanted to write to say and really emphasise it when I say thank you so much for the quilt! Its not only got an amazing colour scheme that I could use both in the Army and at home, but its also so well-made that it looks like it’s made to last a lifetime!

It wasn’t until I went on this operation, when I first heard about Aussie Hero Quilts. Upon learning about the organisation, I have nothing but respect for what you people do!

Kind Regards,

 

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Dear Kirsten (Bindy) O,

Firstly, I must apologise for the time taken between you making my quilt and my letter of thanks. My dear friend secretly co-ordinated this and she held onto the quilt for several months before presenting it to me a couple of weeks ago.   WOW! I was gobsmacked and honoured to receive this quilt Kirsten. I feel very privileged, so thank you so much for taking the time to make it and the attention to detail that you put into it.  I just adore the little Cavalier King Charles Spaniels that you incorporated and the red wine theme as well.  My late mother was an avid quilter and I know how much effort and time goes into selecting the fabric, cutting, mapping and then sewing the quilt. You are a true Aussie Hero yourself!!

A bit more about me. I was born and bred in Townsville and wanted desperately to get out of dodge after I left school!  So I joined the Air Force at 18 and never looked back or regretted my choice. I’ve served all over Australia and overseas on postings and I definitely didn’t plan to serve full time for 39 years. It kind of just happened. I was very fortunate to spend 16 years in Canberra raising my two sons who are now both RAAFies as well. I’m so proud of them.

It’s time for a change of pace now that I’m an empty nester. I’ve left everything familiar to me in Canberra; the family home, my dear friends, workplace/workmates and moved to SE QLD last week.  Making friends here will take time, so I just have to put myself out there. A little daunting and thankful I have reserve work next year to fill in the gaps whilst I get settled.

Well that sums me up and I especially enjoyed reading about your background. Thank you for serving our great nation along side me for 27 years and thanks again Kirsten for my beautiful quilt. I love it and will cherish it always.

Warm regards

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Dear Hilary T,

Thank you so much for making a laundry bag! I really appreciate it.

Your bag came at a great time, I had just had my laundry bag misplaced and all my laundry went missing so your kind work and words gave me a much needed smile! 

I have been in the Navy for three years, which is enough time to know that to have a long career in the Defence Force you need a kind and supportive partner. It sounds like you were this for your husband. Having to look after two kids while your husband is away on an overseas deployment must have been very hard and he sounds lucky to have you. 

Let me know if you have any sailing tips from your experience sailing the yacht through the East Coast, I could use a few sailing tips in my job haha.

Thanks again!

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Hello Ruth S,

 

My husband has just received his laundry bag and was very pleased with it and will treasure it. As a quilter myself I am aware of all the work involved

 

So from both of us Thank you

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Dear Ruth S,

What  a lovely surprise to receive such a wonderful, thoughtful gift. My husband is so very grateful and can’t get over your generosity. You are a very talented lady, such a lot of work has gone into the bag, and so beautifully sewn. He will treasure the bag and yes, it did brighten his day. 

 Thank you so very much.

 

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Good afternoon Emma G,

 

Thank you very much for the aussie hero quilt that I received today. It’s arrived before we returned to Australia, thank you very much.

 

I really do appreciate all the effort you put in to get this made, and to find the fabrics to match the themes of my overseas time. 

Please also pass on my thanks to Joan B and Jan-Maree.

 

I hope you have a wonderful week

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Hi Colleen S,

I received your quilt yesterday and just wanted to say that you nailed it, it's everything I could've asked for. I have to say the joy of opening the box and the first thing I saw was Kelpies that look just like mine was so nice. 

Thank you for your letter and taking the time to make the quilt it's very appreciated. 

It sounds like you've had a fantastic career and I hope you're enjoying a well earned retirement and sounds like you have a wonderful life, truly blessed.

About me, I came here from South Australia, I've been in the Army nearly 8 years, deployed 3 times and have had great experiences along the way. Back home I have a partner who recently discharged after 10 years in the Infantry, a little one, she's two years old and like your granddaughter a bundle of energy as well. And two beautiful Kelpies (as you probably guessed) that truly are the best things in my life. 

My family is a service family, my dad is still serving well over 30 years in the Army currently posted overseas both my grandfathers were in the Army and their fathers before them, my brother, uncle and cousin are all/have served in the Navy. 

Thank you again for the beautiful quilt it was definitely bring colour to my room and will be well looked after.

Kind regards, 

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Hello Colleen S,

Thanks very much for the dhobi bag! Its a real piece of art, especially that yacht on the front!

I will admit I've been in long enough that I started with a M in front of my number - I was issued with a PMKeyS number rather than a Service Number, but it was only about a decade ago they phased out the M/F in front of the numbers!

Brisbane is one of the few places in Australia I've not really visted.  I've had layovers there a couple of times, but never any chance to explore it.

I've served in everything from frigates to patrol boats (where I have been for the last 8 years), and ever had the chance to do shorter trips on fleet oilers, survery launches and submarines!  I also saw service in the Phillipines (on patrol boats) alongside the Armed Forces of Phillipines against a coalition of Isamist insurgencies under the ISIS banner, back in 2018/2019 (where we supported operations, mostly intercepting arms and people smugglers bringing in support to the Siege of Marrawi, but also supporting littoral operations against a maritime insurgency there called Abu Sayaaf).

Aside from that, my career has seen some famous and memorable events, such as the 2013 International Fleet Review, Royal escort Ships, numerous international exercises including Talisman Sabre, Kakadu, Paradise, APEC, as well as more infamous events such as the search for MH370, service on Manus Island, counter-piracy operations in SE Asia, and our border protection operations. And that is where you'll find us still - out and about on our vast, remote northern borders!

My family has a long military history, with 3 of 5 brothers all being killed in WWI (two on the Western Front - both stretcher bearers within weeks of each other, and one in the Middle East). My father was 10 1/2 years in the Navy, reaching Chief Petty Officer, serving on submarines in the Cold War.  Most of my uncles have served in either reserve units or the CMF, and numerous great-uncles and even a few great-aunts served in WWII in various branches (in fact, while I serve in Darwin today, one of my great uncles served here during the Bombing of Darwin from 1942-1945)! My grandfather on dad's side had a bung leg from an injury, so was refused the chance to join, but sadly all bar 1 of the boys he grew up with in his home town were killed in North Africa and Lebanon - mostly fighting the Vichy French! So I can absolutely understand the strong lin of military heritage you referred to in your letter!

I'm afraid I've been married to the service too long, so family for me is taken up more eith my nieces and nephews.  They are a great boon, and are getting to the ages where they really want to connect more with their uncle who serves at sea! So lots of tales of action and adventure (and crocodiles) to entertain them every time I return home! And, of course, my old uniforms get lots of enthusiastic further use as dress-ups once I've had to change them out.

Thank you again for the dhobi bag, and for your letter about yourself!

Fair winds and followings seas.

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Hi Ruth S

Have just received my laundry bag, and I must say thank you very much , I am extremely happy with it.

We really appreciate what people such as yourself do for us from the military while we are deployed.

Kindest Regards

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Dear Lesley B

I wanted to write to say and really emphasise when I say thank you so much for crafting such a beautiful laundry bag. I was just about ready to throw out my old Kapooka-issued cream-coloured one, held together by re-stitching and stubbornness. Aside from looking absolutely amazing and having my initials too, the thought of someone going out of their way to craft such a piece for me instills a great sense of pride and appreciation, to which I am very thankful.

Secondly, I was wondering if there was any special considerations for when washing this, as I do not want to risk damaging the design, and would like to preserve it to last my entire career in defence.

Kind Regards 

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Dear Janis K,

I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the beautiful quilt you’ve so thoughtfully crafted and sent my way. Receiving such a heartfelt gift reminded me of the support, warmth, and camaraderie that so often go unseen. Your kindness and dedication mean more than words can fully express.

Every stitch and detail in my quilt tells a story of dedication, love, and patriotism. In the often challenging environment I face, this quilt is not only a source of comfort but a reminder that people back home are thinking of us and genuinely care about our well-being. It reminds me that I’m never alone in my journey.

Thank you for all the time, effort, and heart you put into each piece you create. Your work doesn’t just offer warmth and beauty; it brings hope, a sense of connection, and a tangible piece of home.

With my sincere appreciation and gratitude,

Kindest regards,

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Until next week keep your letters, emails and photos coming in.  

Tuesday's would be so totally boring without them!

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