UNITY — As the Royal Canadian Legion enters its centenary year, another organization that honours Canadian veterans – Quilts of Valour Canada (QOVC) – is celebrating 20 years of service. And for one Unity quilter, taking the time to create two quilts to be donated to the cause was more than just putting together a blanket.
Laurie Leeson, who has been quilting for more than a decade, decided to work on two quilts this past year to remember her two uncles who served in the Second World War. While one uncle returned from the war, had a family and continued on in life, Leeson’s other uncle did not.
“I guess I made these quilts as a way to honour them both, taking the time to remember them and the sacrifices they made,” said Leeson.
The quilter first heard of the organization many years ago, when her cousin’s wife took on the role of president. Leeson said it wasn’t until she found the right fabrics that she found a reason to work on the projects.
Her first quilt was a kit she purchased, with bright red poppies, hints of green and black borders. Like many quilters, Leeson admitted she worked on this piece over the course of a few months, even working on it during the annual Quilt ‘til you Wilt weekend in Unity. This quilt was presented to James McArthur, a 91-year-old Indigenous veteran from the Pheasant Rump Nakota Nation. McArthur enlisted at the age of 17, serving in multiple units and two tours during the Korean War between 1951 to 1954. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1965 and served two tours in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne “Screaming Eagles” battalion. He earned the Army Commendation Medal for Heroism after rescuing six U.S. soldiers from a burning tank after being hit by enemy artillery on June 24, 1967, and also received the Army Commendation Medal by the United States Army for his bravery during the Vietnam War. In 2014, McArthur was presented with the Lieutenant Governor’s Military Service pin and received his Quilt of Valour on Oct. 30, 2025.
“It was an honour to hear my quilt was presented to someone who has been called a hero,” said Leeson.
The second quilt Leeson had built was constructed around a panel, designed by Sailor Danny from Newfoundland, which she purchased from the Quilt of Valour table at a quilt show she had attended. Although it has not been presented to a veteran at this time, Leeson did confirm the blanket is in the QOVC’s Saskatchewan representative’s hands.
Leeson’s quilt club, the Unity Quilters Guild, has already been planning to make more quilts for the organization in the new year. As the quilts are finished, they will be sent to the regional office in Regina.
The Quilts of Valour Canada was first established in Edmonton. Quilter Lezley Zwaal presented quilts to three Canadian Armed Forces members who were recovering in hospital from injuries they sustained in Afghanistan in 2006. The impact of meeting these brave men made a lasting impression on Zwaal, and thus, the organization was born.
For those who wish to make a financial donation, would like more information on how to donate a quilt, or would like to nominate a veteran, contact the Saskatchewan representative through the Quilts of Valour Canada website.
