'Quite an honour': Cape Breton WWII vet, 96, receives Quilt of Valour
A Second World War veteran in Cape Breton received a special handmade gift honouring his service on Sunday.
At the age of 96, Greg MacNeil is the last surviving Second World War veteran at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 78 in Dominion, and for that he received the Quilt of Valour.
“It’s very good. It’s quite an honour,” says MacNeil
The Quilt of Valour is handmade to thank and support those who served. These works of art are a tribute to the service and sacrifice of the recipient.
MacNeil says he was assigned one of the most dangerous jobs on the day the war ended.
“I was an infantry signaler and the first fella they’d take out would be you, rather than take out an officer,” recalled MacNeil.
Rhoda Moore is with the Quilts of Valours society in Halifax and made the trip to Cape Breton for the presentation.
She says there are approximately 185,000 Veterans, many of whom are eligible to receive a Quilt of Valour. She says to date the society has presented nearly 16,000 quilts.
“We try to have in some cases a theme, so lots of quilts will come with something like this one, with something to do with Canada. We will use fabrics that have a Canadian theme or the story of the quilt will be along those lines,” said Moore.
MacNeil’s daughter Monica says the pandemic has taken its toll on her father.
In the past year he’s lost the ability to walk, and is not as mobile as he used to be pre-covid19. But his spirits are much better now that restrictions have started to ease - and he is looking forward to attending Remembrance Day ceremonies in his community.
“This year we will be able to take him out. We will be able to take him to the legion ceremony, which he attended every year, except for the last two years because of COVID,” says Monica MacNeil.
Greg MacNeil celebrated his 96th birthday this past May, with police, family, friends and members of the community parading past Taigh-Na-Mara nursing home.
This quilt is another way to say thank you.
“Just in time for Remembrance Day. It will come in handy. I’ll have to wear it over my back.” said MacNeil.
For now, it’s a salute to a veteran who gave us the freedom we enjoy today.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.