By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
On Sunday, nine veterans from across Quebec were recognized for their service with Quilts of Valour at a ceremony held at the Lennoxville ANAVETS Unit #318 building, “The Hut”. Each quilt, lovingly handcrafted, serves as a tangible token of gratitude for their sacrifices. The event, spearheaded by Quilts of Valour Vice President Camilla Gallibois, showcased the deep appreciation felt for these veterans.
Recipients of the quilts included Renee Jacques from Acton Vale, Nathalie Bergeron from Sherbrooke, Gary Hadley from Cookshire, Claude Ladouceur from Sherbrooke, Emilien Richard Laviolette from Saint-Agapit, Normand Proulx from Magog, Maurice Goulet from Sherbrooke, Gilles Imbeault from Compton, and Claude St. Onge from Sherbrooke. All were presented their quilts by Gallibois, whose efforts were made possible thanks to the support of Brady Smith, President of ANAVETS Unit #318.
Among those recipients, Normand Proulx, a retired Master Warrant Officer, reflected in a recent interview on both his military career and the honour of receiving a Quilt of Valour. “It’s an honour that some people take their time and talent to do something for us,” Proulx said following the ceremony. He described the quilts as “quilts of comfort” and added, “Right now, I put it on my favorite chair in front of the fireplace. I’m just waiting for the winter to use it.”
Proulx’s military journey spanned from 1980 to 2007, a career marked by service both internationally and domestically. As a geomatic technician with the Canadian Forces Mapping and Charting Establishment, he played a pivotal role in various NATO and United Nations operations. He served in Naples, Italy, where he was responsible for mapping much of Europe, including the Balkans. “We specialized in analyzing the terrain for commanders, providing them with critical information on which routes to take and what vehicles to use,” Proulx explained. His work ensured that military operations ran smoothly, as all forces used the same maps and data for their missions.
Domestically, Proulx contributed to several significant Canadian operations, including during the Red River floods, the Oka Crisis, and the 1990s ice storm. His expertise helped public security and Hydro-Québec identify the areas most in need during these crises, ensuring aid reached the right places efficiently.
Reflecting on his 27 years of service, Proulx said, “I’ve been all over the world—Germany, Italy, and on numerous operations. It was a great job, and I really enjoyed my career.”
Gallibois, in an email, emphasized the importance of the event and expressed gratitude to Brady Smith for his support, saying, “I couldn’t have done such a big presentation without his support in Lennoxville.”
The ceremony was informal but moving, acknowledging the service of these veterans in a way that resonated deeply with them. As Proulx noted, “It’s amazing to think someone out there is making these quilts just to say thank you.”
