Quilt of valour for Cambridge Second World War veteran

They are made with love, respect and gratitude.

Eugene (Bud) Beaver, a 98-year-old WW2 veteran from Cambridge, received a Quilt of Valour at the Hespeler Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Beaver proudly displayed his Quilt of Valour draped over his shoulders, surrounded by family and friends.

“This was a little unexpected. I didn’t know we were coming here today. My son told me he was taking me out for dinner,” Beaver said.

“But this is a little bit of a different story.”

A gesture to give comfort, strength and warmth, the quilt was made by a dedicated group of volunteers, to say ‘thank you’.

“We give this quilt as a hug, a thank you for your service. Today, we honour Eugene Beaver,” says Deby Wettges, Kitchener and Area representative at Quilts of Valour Canada.

“It’s about giving back to our veterans. These quilts can provide comfort both mentally and physically. It is something they can keep forever,” Wettges said.

Quilts of Valour Canada, a non-for-profit organization, began with the idea to provide support and comfort to members of the Canadian Armed Forces, past and present.

The society mission is to ensure that veterans, men and women, across Canada are recognized and honoured with a Quilt of Valour, each one handmade and stitched with love and gratitude by grateful Canadians.

Presently, there are approximately 185,000 veterans, many of whom are eligible to receive a quilt. To date, Quilts of Valour Canada has presented over 17,000 quilts since the organization began in 2006.

Beaver was nominated by Bill Kalbhenn, second vice-chairman and veteran service officer at the Hespeler Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

“It’s our great honour today to present a Quilt of Valour to Bud, who’s been a member of the Legion for the last 47 years,” Kalbhenn said.

Beaver joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942 at the age of 19. He was stationed in England during the war and returned to Canada completing three and a half years of service.

“Bud was a flight sergeant and flew Lancaster bombers in England. He was responsible for ferrying some of these fine aircraft back to Canada after the war,” Kalbhenn said.

Beaver served as a WW2 pilot from 1943-1946.

A brilliant picture of a Lancaster Bomber hangs on a wall at the Royal Canadian Legion in Hespeler.  

“The picture was given to us by Bud. It used to hang in his house,” Kalbhenn said.

Today, Beaver still resides in Hespeler, and at one time, lived on Beaverdale Road.

He worked at Artex Woolens, Markle’s Potato Farm and Zehrs, where most will remember him.  

“His last position was as a customer service representative at Zehrs. He did everything there, meeting and helping all who were coming or going,” Kalbhenn said.

In May of this year, Beaver lost his treasured companion, his wife Erma. The couple were married 76 years and raised three boys. Beaver has five grandchildren.

A fixture within the Legion and the Hespeler community, toasts of thanks and gratitude poured in at the presentation, honouring Beaver.

“What I’ve done, it was done with 100,000 other guys and I was one of the lucky ones. I came back,” Beaver said.

“I’m thankful for this day and for all of the thoughts that go along with it.”

The Quilt of Valour was made by volunteers Doreen Hewitson and Brenda Oliphant, a tribute to Beaver, and a hug from a grateful nation.

“It’s in remembrance, so you know that you are always in our hearts,” Wettges said.

“We thank you for your service”.

For more information about Quilts of Valour Canada, visit quiltsofvalour.ca