7 March 2022 Request List

 

Good morning All.   

HAVE YOU HEARD!

Due to problems securing accommodation in the hotel on the weekend of the 8^th we have changed the date of the Aussie Hero Quilts 10^th Anniversary Dinner to 29^th of October.

This is the LAST time we will change the date.  We have reserved 60 rooms for the weekend but some of them are already taken so if you want to stay at the same venue as the dinner please get on the phone and book your accommodation. If you want the AHQ discount then you need to phone to make your reservation or you need to write the request for a discount in the notes if you make your reservation online.

The most important thing is to get on and make your reservation if you don’t want to miss out.

 You definitely don’t want to miss out on the best weekend in the calendar. If you have not attended an Aussie Hero Quilts weekend before, you seriously don’t know what you are missing out on. I am looking forward to seeing you all there.

Don't you love the happy smiles. The fellow on the left is the recipient. The fellow on the right is my husband David. The cute thing is that David and this fellow were course mates in the RAAF many years ago and so it was rather nice that David had the opportunity to present his quilt to him at the end of his full time Air Force career.

On to our requests.  

Once you’ve made your selection of what you’d like to try, do please EMAIL friendsofAHQ@gmail.com and Catherine or I will be pleased to assist you with your selection. Hope to hear from you soon. 

Thank you!  

When selecting a request, remember, you do not have to include everything they have asked for. Footy quilts do not need to have the logo or even the team’s name. Using the team colours is all that is required. Simple is perfectly acceptable.  A number of these requests have given you favourite colours as well as footy teams or other hobbies and interests. It is fine to make a quilt using their favourite colours and include only one of their interests.  It is fine to keep it simple. 

 If there is more than one request on this list that you would be happy to do I suggest that you send me a list of requests and tell me how many you want to be allocated….i.e. one of the following please….  There are always a few requests that everyone wants to do (and I can never pick them) so if the first one you ask for is taken then I can allocate another from your list if I have a list. 

 Any queries you might have, please don’t hesitate to contact via the AHQ email as per usual with any queries and we will assist you from there.  We may not know the answer, but it will be our pleasure to research and get back to you.   

A reminder, when you are ready to post the quilt or laundry bag you’ve created, please use the PMKEYS number given you in any correspondence with the admin team.  This helps the volunteer admin team keep a track of what’s been sent etc.  The PMKEYS number is included in the address details we supply for your recipient e.g.  the 7-digit number in bold below. 

CPL Wanda Quilt 8765432  

TG 3456 

AFPO XX 

 ADF 

 Sydney NSW 2890

 Also, please use the Aussie Heroes PO Box address on your parcel in the event the parcel is Returned to Sender -  the PO Box is a safe place in the event of  any mishaps with postage. 

Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags) 

PO Box 248, 

Cherrybrook, NSW 2126 

 Don’t forget to take a photo of your completed quilt or laundry bag to email to AHQ with the name and PMKEYS of the recipient and we can include in the Weekly Dispatches blog and add to the tally of quilts and laundry bags sent off to the troops.  I personally love viewing the photos of those projects dispatched – so inspiring. 

If you are using a AHQ supplied prepaid satchel please kindly use the AHQ address for the return address– also for your own packaging – if a parcel is Returned to Sender it is likely we can expedite its journey to the recipient from Sydney.

Please also please hold on to the Tracking number (the pink sticker that you should remove before posting – we’ve experienced mail delays lately (haven’t we all?) and having the Tracking number is very reassuring to keep an eye on the parcel’s progress in arriving at its destination. 

Don’t forget, if you look at today’s Request List and need help choosing, please feel free to get in touch to discuss, we will be ready to reply and offer guidance by email. Our goal is to help you find a request that you will be comfortable with doing. If you need a crest etc we may be able to post embroideries / printed fabric images or email some of these to you. 

Helpful info may be gleaned here  http://aussieheroquilts.blogspot.com/2019/07/information-post-for-those-that-sew-for.html    I look forward to seeing the photos of completed quilts and LBs when they are ready to post off. 

 POST BY DATE 

The post by date for all Requests on this list is11^th April 2022  please, or earlier if you can manage this.  If you cannot make that date, please let me know. Do reach out if you have any timing issues and we’ll resolve one way or the other. In fact, if you are going to be late posting it please let me know BEFORE you post it.  Also, if this time frame is too tight for you, there are options, just email me to discuss, thank you.     

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE copy the ENTIRE line if you wish to nominate for a quilt or laundry bag.  

For example…. 

Marvel Theme. Ironman     M       LB      1 

This is really important to make sure that neither you nor I copy the wrong number which could lead to me giving you the wrong details for specific request.  If you find it hard to copy and paste, please copy the line out as above.  

Decoding The Columns 

The first column is the theme or preferences requested. 

The second column indicates the gender of the recipient. 

The third column is as follows. 

B=both quilt and laundry bag (feel  free to nominate to JUST do the laundry bag if you wish) 

Q= just a quilt 

LB = just a laundry bag 

F= female 

M= male 

 Please let the Admin crew know if you have any other questions....Just email friendsofahq@gmail.com  

Looking forward to seeing what you want to make this week. Happy stitching! 

Cheers, 

Jan-Maree  

P.P.S.  Don't forget to check out AHQ on the Blog, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter 

Australia themed and coloured Enjoys music and plays the guitar	M	Q	1
ANZAC theme with Lazy E, Airfield engineer wombat, Engineer support element patch (we can provide patches and a Lazy is simply an E that has fallen over)	M	LB	2
Remembrance day theme, black background with the rising sun. With a field of red poppies. A silhouette of the SLR with slouch hat and an Abrams. (We can provide silhouettes you can work from for applique as well as the Rising Sun)	M	Q	3
Rising Sun with personal details below, AALC, RACMP, Australian flag,  Text "East Timor 2002 Election Observer", (badges and text can be to you. The East Timor flag is easy to applique)	M	Q	4
Rising Sun, MFO Badge. I would be most grateful for a military design (army)	F	Q	5
RAAOC badge, ACB, Text "INTERFET East Timor 1999 Op Falconer Iraq 2003 Op Mazurka Egypt 2015" (We can send you the badges and the text can be embroidered for you)	M	Q	6
RAAPC badge, Rising Sun, Sydney University Regiment badge, Soldier career management agency badge, 17 Brigade badge, Australia Post colours (red and white) (Badges will be sent to you)	M	Q	7
RAINF, RACT, Rising Sun Text "Op Anode Solomon Islands 2010 and Op Astute Timor Leste 2012" (Badges and text can be sent to you)	M	Q	8
Australian Flag, some poppies, and two paw prints (one for each of my dogs back home named Maverick and Hendrix).	M	Q	9
Military Theme- Army	M	Q	10
ANZAC theme with locations I have been deployed as an Engineer - Australia, Bougainville, East Timor, Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, UAE Rising Sun, RAE Badge. (badges and place names can be embroidered for you)	M	B	11
ANIME	M	Q	12
Holden, Moto GP, Ducati Motorbikes	M	Q	13
The colours of Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club - purple/dark blue (predominant) with white and gold lightning bolts.	M	Q	14
Cars and Motorbikes	M	Q	15
Blue, Sailing, SUPing, 4wding, Camping.	M	Q	16
Blue, water-polo and golf, rugby union and cricket, Sailing, fishing, diving	M	Q	17
Blue, Surfing, Rugby and Travel	M	Q	18
Anime (Japanese cartoon) or Dragon Ball Z	M	Q	19
Blue, PC gaming, DIY Projects, Netflix & Movies	M	Q	20
Dark Red, travelling and running.	M	Q	21
Blue, sports and outdoors.	M	Q	22
Blue, Rugby, Boating, Politics	M	Q	23
4Wdrive/camping/outback themed	M	Q	24
Blue/green. Diving, Weight lifting and 4WDing. RAN crest with Name rank and service number please. (We can provide the crest with personal details)	M	B	25
One piece(the anime), acoustic guitar, blue and purple	M	B	26
Black, Red, Orange, Green etc  Rugby, Waterpolo, Rugby League, AFL.  Basically anything to do with sport and colourful.	M	Q	27
RAN crest.  I support the Cronulla Sharks but would be happy with anything (RAN crest can be provided in Cronulla colours if desired)	M	Q	28
Jeep and Camping/Mountains type theme	M	Q	29
Soccer/Cricket/Golf Liverpool FC. Embroidered panel with nickname and the following: Royal Australian Navy, Ex Royal Navy, HMAS, Anzac, HMAS Adelaide, HMS Westminster, HMS Brocklesby. (Name and ship details can be embroidered)	M	Q	30
red, white and blue.  rugby union	M	Q	31
ACDC themed, Black with a red ACDC logo if possible please	M	Q	32
WW2, Older Navy	M	B	33
Gears of War (XBOX Game) Quilt.	M	Q	34
Light blue. A theme of motorbikes, snowboarding, camping and/or fishing would be tops. I also follow Red Bull racing	M	B	35
PINK to remind him of his little girl / Race cars. RAAC badge with surname, HMAS Adelaide crest if possible (Badge and crest can be provided)	M	Q	36
Roosters NRL, Red, blue, white, green, brown and yellow. Can I please have, HMAS Adelaide crest and the RACT Army badge with name and PMKeys  "OP Tonga Assist 2022" (Crest, badge and text can be embroidered)	M	B	37
Beige, gardening, playing with my dog (Husky x Staffy, his name is Pavlov) and baking	F	Q	38
Brisbane Lions AFL, Parramatta Eels (NRL), AMPOL Red Bull Racing Team (V8s), Tenpin Bowling.	M	Q	39
Preferred colour is blue Star Wars or Dungeons and Dragons. Please include my name and rank (we can have name and rank embroidered for you)	M	Q	40
Rugby League Sydney Roosters (red, white, blue)  or Liverpool FC, with the nickname (we can have the nickname embroidered for you)	M	Q	41
BMW superbikes or any sports bikes	M	Q	42
ANIME	M	Q	43
Pokémon (Pikachu) and/or Port Adelaide Power	F	Q	44
RAN crest, Navy Ships - would love the crests of the following HMAS Tobruk HMAS Arunta (FFH Class) HMAS Maryborough (Armidale Class Patrol Boat) HMAS Canberra (Canberra Class) (We can provide the RAN Crest and the ships' crests)	M	Q	45
Ships crests: HMAS Brisbane/Success/Stuart/Tobruk/Adelaide (LHD) and Canberra (LHD). Navy themed. (We can provide crests)	M	B	46
Anything 1980s	M	B	47
Sailing	M	Q	48
Pittsburgh Penguins- Ice Hockey- Colours- Black, Gold and White	M	Q	49
Anything to do with food	F	Q	50
Marvel	M	Q	51
Star Wars	M	Q	52
How to train your Dragon	M	B	53
NBA - Anything to do with Michael Jordan, Air Jordan, Kobe Bryant, the Lakers or the NBA logo if possible. But I will be happy with what whatever they come up with NBA themed!	M	B	54
Marvel Heroes, Colours Green & Blue	F	Q	55
Pokémon	M	Q	56
Winnie the Pooh	F	Q	57
Cronulla Sharks	M	B	58
Naruto (animated Japanese Cartoon)	M	LB	59
Pokémon	M	B	60
Anything Air Force or general Aviation (we can provide a RAAF Crest. Also RAAF Roundel, silhouettes of aircraft can be provided for applique guidance)	M	Q	61
Crocodiles / animals	F	Q	62
Indian Motorcycle	M	Q	63
The Simpsons	M	Q	64
Ninja/Samurai Theme	M	B	65
Solar System	M	Q	66
Surfing	M	Q	67
Transformers or Star Wars	M	Q	68
Dallas Cowboys colours and star (NFL Team), HMAS Adelaide ship's crest with "OP Tonga Assist 2022 CPONPC and name" embroidered on it. (We can supply the crest and embroidery)	M	B	69
Black, white and blue (Cronulla Sharks), HMAS Adelaide Ship's Crest and 'Op Tonga Assist 2022  and personal details' embroidered on it.  (We can supply the crest and embroidery)	M	B	70
dance theme (ballet/calisthenics) with the ocean incorporated, pink/purple if possible. HMAS Adelaide crest with OP Tonga Assist 2022 AB (Full Name) and PMKeys" embroidered on it. (We can supply crest and embroidery)	F	Q	71
Blue or green- Plants/ animals/ weather HMAS ADELAIDE crest and name embroidered on it (We can supply embroidery)	F	B	72
green/ blue, Tennis /Ragdoll Cat HMAS Adelaide ship's crest and "OP Tonga Assist 2022 and initials" embroidered on it. (We can supply the crest and embroidery)	M	LB	73
green and black if I could have ME01  on it that would be awesome.	M	B	74
blue and bright colours/patterns with a nautical theme.	M	Q	75
Black with white or grey HMAS Adelaide ships crest and "OP Tonga Assist 2022". something simple would be wonderful  (We can supply the crest and embroidery)	M	LB	76
Motor bikes, magpies white and black colours, embroidered with nickname. (We can supply embroidery)	M	Q	77
Dark green, rust orange and black, with stars and other celestial bodies with name embroidered on it.  (We can supply embroidery)	F	B	78
A 'stormy' theme, or a celestial/starry theme with name embroidered. (We can supply embroidery)	M	Q	79
Any design in Blue/Yellow (Parramatta Eels NRL)	M	Q	80
Green and Red Space or Welsh themed if possible please	M	Q	81
nautical compass or night sky theme Would love my surname on it please	F	Q	82
Native Australian flowers theme and my surname on both. Thank you!	F	Q	83
Fish	M	Q	84
Canterbury Bulldogs (NRL), a pic of a CH-47 F and  MRH-90 helicopter HMAS Adelaide ship's crest, Rising Sun with "OP Tonga Assist 2022 and name" Thank you (We can supply the crests, the picture of helicopters and embroidery)	M	Q	85
Army and Navy with the HMAS Adelaide ship and islands of Tonga. Also "OP Tonga Assist 2022" embroidered on it.  (We can supply embroidery)	M	B	86
The Tongan island theme - suggestions include a map of the islands, the people, wildlife, culture.  Would like name written on the bag. Thank you. (We can supply embroidery)	M	B	87
Pokemon design (preference of Dragonite but any pokemon design is fine). HMAS Adelaide ship's crest and "OP Tonga Assist 2022" please.  Thank you!  (We can supply the crest and embroidery)	M	Q	88
Ocean theme with the HMAS Adelaide crest. Also with 'OP Tonga Assist 2022'. Also if possible some constellations. (We can supply the crest and embroidery)	F	LB	89
Ocean theme with warm colours that remind me of the sunset hitting the ocean. Also with an Aussie Flag incorporated into it.	F	B	90
helicopter / aviation theme, as well as with a name embroidered and the HMAS Adelaide ship's crest embroidered on them. (We can supply the crest and embroidery)	M	Q	91
Pokemon design too (preference of a Victreebel design). HMAS Adelaide ship's crest and "OP Tonga Assist 2022" please.  Thank you! (We can supply the crest and embroidery)	M	LB	92
Favourite colour is blue. Baby blue, sapphire blue, navy blue, white, grey. Beach, flowers, butterfly, fruit, stars galaxy, heart shape. Small Australian flag. Surname: on laundry bag. (We can send you a small Aussie flag)	F	B	93
bicycles.	M	LB	94
traditional patchwork quilt, with personal details  and HMAS Adelaide ship's crest and "OP Tonga Assist 2022" embroidered on it.	M	Q	95

Weekly Dispatches - 4th March 2022

                                                     Happy Friday!!!

Just like that it's March!! Once again got a beautiful array of quilts and laundry bags on their way!!

Lots to admire and I'm sure the creative juices will start flowing with new ideas!!

Let's not forget it is about admiring the skill and creativity on display and we can get an idea of how the recipients will feel when they receive these extraordinary gifts that they most certainly deserve!!

Please enjoy!!!

🌟 🌟 🌟

This year so far we have sent off 143 quilts 
and that has brought our total since we started to 14378
We have also sent off 327 laundry bags, bringing our total since we started to over 30389 laundry bags.

Thelma.T

Lynn.F & Wendy.F

Jenny.N (10 LB)

Jenny.N Quilted by Philomena

Ann.S

Anne.H & Keryn

Bel.D & Inge.C

Bev.C & Inge.C

Bridget.R & Kerry.B

Bridget.R & Kerry.B

Bridget.R

Bridget.R

Ellen.N & Joan.B

Ellen.N

Karen.C

Karen.C

Kathy.W

Monika.M

Pennie.T

Pennie.T

Pennie.T

Sheena.B

Toni.F

Bridget.R & Kerry.B

Bridget.R

Bridget.R

Elizabeth.B

Pennie.T

Pennie.T

Sue.O

Thelma.T

Elizabeth.B

Thelma.T

🌟 🌟 🌟

Till Next week,

Happy Sewing Everyone. Don't forget to like comment and share! 

Aussie Hero Quilts Dinner - the date has changed.

 

Greetings all.

I hope this finds you all well and DRY given the amazing amount of rain that is hitting the East Coast. It has been horrible watching the damage caused so far and hearing about the lives lost. 

Please take care of yourselves out there.

This is just a brief message to let you know know that the date for the Aussie Hero Quilts 10th Anniversary Dinner has had to be changed again, and for the last time. 

When we changed to the 8th of October we were assured there would be no problem for our volunteers to get accommodation at dinner venue, The Rex, for the weekend concerned. Unfortunately, that has not turned out to be the case. We felt we had no choice but to change the weekend in order to make sure that a good number of our volunteers can be accommodated on site.

We have officially moved the date to the weekend of the 28/29/30 October. If you have booked your tickets for the weekend activities you don't need to do anything unless you need a refund because you can't make the new date :-(   If that is the case please email me on friendsofAHQ@gmail.com and we will have it taken care of. 

If you have already booked your accommodation with The Rex you should have received a phone call from the hotel transferring your booking to the new weekend. If you have not heard from them I suggest you give them a call. 

If you wish to stay at The Rex, but you have not yet booked accommodation, I suggest you book as soon as you can because, even though we have asked them to hold rooms for us, they do not have unlimited rooms so you want to get in early to make sure you get what you want. 

Personally I am so ready for this dinner.  I reckon it is going to be a great night, the culmination of a great weekend of celebrating our 10th anniversary and all the hard work you have all done over the last ten years.

I hope to see lots and lots of you there. 

Tickets can be purchased here

Accommodation Information is here

Till next time... stay dry, don't drive on flooded roads, and keep spreading the Aussie Hero word!!

Love, Jan-Maree xx

Grati -Tuesday 1st March

Happy Tuesday Friends!

It is always a treat to hear why people choose the themes for their quilts and laundry bags, and to also hear how grateful they are to have received such a unique and personal gift.

The following letters provide both of the above as well as a whole lot more.

Grab a cuppa, sit back and relax and enjoy!!!

.... 

Good Evening Melissa,

I am an Infantry Soldier of the 16^th Royal Western Australian Regiment, currently served 3 years thus far as an Army Reservist, dedicating around 6 months of the year and now aiming to continue full time this year. 

I very much appreciate your work and the letter provided inside, as it reminds me of the vast effort and support that is given to the members in and out of direct service.

I thank you for the bag. 

Regards

....

Dear Amazing Anne H,

 

I received the beautiful laundry bag you made me today – and I am in awe. Thank you so much! It’s absolutely perfect…and Wonder Woman was definitely a humbling suggestion. I love it! Hahah

 

I’m a Mum of two. My daughter, is 5 and started kindergarten this year. She’s incredibly curious, sassy and communicative. She’s loved a good old chat since the day she was born. My son, is 3 and loves trucks. His existence revolves around trucks and all the accompanying equipment that can load a truck (MHE). Which is very fitting because his mum is a Transport Officer so he and I get into the details of payloads and convoys. Haha

 

I’m missing them terribly but they are safe and healthy with their dad. 

 

In my spare time I’m a founder (I can’t think of a better way to describe it, haha). I co-founded a publishing platform. My co-founder and I were beyond excited to get recognised at the Australian Defence Magazine Women in Defence Awards a few weeks ago.

 

Thank you again for my beautiful laundry bag and letter – it’s made my week!

 

Lots of love 

....

Dear Laura.C 

 

Firstly I just wanted to say thank you for your time, skill and thoughtfulness in making something for me. 

 

As of July 2022 I will have been in the Navy for 27 years, multiple deployments, operations and trips away from home but the amazing Aussie Hero Quilts were not around when I was doing them unfortunately so it's not something I ever thought I'd be lucky enough to receive. 

 

Yes I have always been fascinated with the stars, moon and planets and I think secretly this is what drew me to the life of a sailor as I wanted to be at sea and see the stars, to navigate by them even. Unfortunately I was instead marked for a life in the engine room, thus the propeller, it is the symbol of the Marine Engineering (mechanics) trade, or Stoker. And yes traditionally this colour is indicated with purple within the field. If you are not aware the term Stoker was traditionally used when ships were steam powered and the men in the engine rooms would 'stoke' the fire with coal. We have moved on quite a lot from there these days but still hold tightly to the term and the heritage and pride behind it. For the last 4 years I have been working within the engineering policy space, quite dry and boring but someone needs to to the 'dirty work'.  

 

As my husband will be yet again away quite a lot this new year (and for next 3 years) I won't be going on any deployments in the new future but I'm OK with that.. I feel that I have done my time and will now let him experience that pride in serving his country. 

 

So now that means I am a sailor who is landlocked in QLD (FYI I don't like humidity haha) with those same two beautiful daughters and a Solider who is away a lot of the year. I miss the sea and my time on a ships, but all that considered I wouldn't change a thing..  we both chose to serve this amazing country and its people and this is how we do it. 

 

Again thank you. 

 

....

Hi Marilyn.S

 

First I wanna say thank you for the laundry bag! Has really come in handy and heaps better then the ones we are issued! 

I’ve been in the army for two years and enjoying every moment of it and looking forward for the years to come! 

I joined up with my best mate from my hometown which is in Victoria. While my father was from Melbourne! I have made many friends whom I can now call family an hopefully I can make many more in the years to come, this is also my first time overseas for the army but I always have loved travelling and have been overseas many times before.

Again Thank you for making the Laundry bag! Really was a booster an even more the letter! Just like me you are from a big family and hope they are all doing well.

 

Kind Regards 

....

G'day Anne.H

I write to thank you for the fabulous quilt you made me.  it is now proudly hanging on my office wall.

I really do appreciate the incredible time and effort you made to make such a wonderful quilt, I understand that you make these quilts as a labour of love and they truly are a work of art.  Hanging my quilt on the office wall has already drawn very favourable comments, it seems right that I can show it off.

I also appreciated your letter, enclosed with the quilt  and the information about yourself. I guess that you already have an idea about me from the detail on the quilt; I am married, with our son and daughter living in UK and Germany.  I served in the British Army for over 33 years and joined the Australian Army as a Military Police Officer in 2008. Most of my deployments have been with the British Army, having served in Northern Ireland, Germany, Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan. The Australian Defence Force deployment to the UAE was my first with the Australian military and likely to be my last.  It was very comfortable compared to my previous deployments; the ADF really look after their personnel, the living conditions were excellent.  Whilst on the deployment I was heavily involved with the Afghan refugees and their move to Australia.  

My wife and I have a house in QLD with our Rhodesian Ridgeback, Shumba. We are both totally in love with Shumba, he is a big muscley goof ball that looks tough but is a real softy - he loves everyone and all animals and always wants to play.

Once again, thank you very much for the incredible quilt, I will cherish it and will continue to hang it on my office wall wherever I serve.

Best regards

....

Dear Bridget.R

A surprise arrived today. David dropped in on the way home, after teeing it up with my wife. I am so pleased, and very surprised to have it so soon. Thank you. Thanks to Bridget. Thanks AHQ.

This beautiful quilt was presented by David - Jan-Maree's Husband as they joined together in the Air Force. 

R: David B L: Peter.J

....

Dear Shirley.D

 

Thank you for the letter and personalised laundry bag that you made for me as part of the Aussie Hero Quilts organisation. I am a current serving member in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps. I have currently served for 18 years.

I enlisted into the Australian Regular Army in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps in 2003. I have had the opportunity to deploy three times in service to the Australian Army.

 

Throughout my deployments I have seen the fantastic work that is delivered by Aussie Hero Quilts, however until now I have not had the opportunity to be a recipient.

The Challenge Coin, if you are not aware can draw its origins from World War I in the United States Army Air Service. As the legend goes, one of these very wealthy Ivy League lieutenants had a set of solid bronze coins minted to hand out as mementos to his fellow pilots. The coins were gold-plated and quite valuable. One member of the squadron decided to carry his coin around his neck, even wearing it on missions. Sometime later this same pilot was shot down behind enemy lines and captured by the Germans. One evening during a bombing raid the pilot managed to escape the POW camp and elude the German forces until he was spotted by a French patrol. Stripped of all of his identification, was taken by the French as a suspected German saboteur and set to be executed. Desperate to prove he was an American pilot, he had one of the French soldiers examine the coin he had hidden. The soldier recognised the insignia on the coin as an American squadron and he was spared certain death.

Today Challenge Coins are commonly used as, proof of membership to foster a sense of pride and belonging, certification and award of upgrade milestones and achievement, commemoration of special occasions and events and marketing and brand awareness.

Once again thank you for your contribution to a great cause and for my laundry bag. Through the current pandemic and isolation requirements I am pleased to hear that this as with gardening is able to keep you busy.

Yours sincerely

....

Dear Jenny,

Thank you so much for the beautiful laundry bag. It definitely bought a smile to my face- it's hanging on my wall (it's too pretty for dirty laundry!).

This was my first deployment- RAAF Pharmacists seldom get the opportunity, although it was only a short one. I am very grateful for the experience. The unique environment and small teams bring their own challenges but makes it all the more rewarding.

I have just returned home to SA, where I am posted with my partner, who is in the Army. We are both from QLD but moved here 2 years ago. In that 2 years we have spent as much time apart due to work, as together. Next year he moves to NT while I stay here, so I am looking forward to spending as much time as possible with him before that happens.

Thank you again...

....

Hi Pam,

Please pass on our thanks to Jenny P for the Simpsons quilt. He is currently deployed but will be back home soon so he will be very excited to use it on his next deployment. 

Thank you for supporting our deployed service men and woman. It is an an amazing service you are apart of and we are truly grateful for the support you provide to them.

Thanks,

....

We received these beautiful stories of interactions with serving members by one of our wonderful volunteers. We thought they were worth sharing.Thank you Diane G

"Garry wears his cap on many occasions.  It often draws queries about his navy career.  He always replies that he served in the Air Force, and the cap is a gift from a sailor for whom his wife  made a laundry bag.  She sews for Aussie Hero Quilts (and Laundry Bags).  On this day the response was one of tears and joy from the young navy wife whose husband had received a much  prized custom laundry bag.  After a lengthy chat we learned she is alone in Sydney as he is at sea and her family live in another state.  Through the common bond of a  laundry bag, have become good friends (like grandparents)  and we have opened our home to a couple who are strangers no more."

I love men in uniform and often approach them to thank them for their service.  On this day two army fellows were buying their lunch.  I offered my usual greeting of thanks and asked if they had received a quilt or laundry bag from Aussie Hero.  They both enthusiastically said "yes" and that everybody who has a laundry bag loves their gift and that others who do not have one want one.  Before we parted ways, they spoke to my husband about his Air Force  service during the Vietnam era and, rather than just a good-bye, they both hugged me and asked me to continue creating beautiful laundry bags and quilts that mean so much.  As my late father would say, "Hows 'bout them apples?" 

"These special encounters make my sewing worthwhile." 

....

On that note....

Till next week...