A Hero's Tribute: Roland Lalonde Receives Quilt of Valour

Roland Lalonde, Veteran, centenarian, Perley Health resident, and painter, was bestowed a Quilt of Valour this July in the Perley Health art studios in honour of his years of service in the Canadian Army and his continued work in support of Veterans.

Roland enlisted in 1942 at 20 years old. His military career was vast; serving in England and France before landing overseas in Italy in 1944 as a member of the Royal 22e Régiment (the “Van Doos”), where he continued to serve until the liberation of Holland in 1945. Upon his return to Canada, he completed another ten years (two five-year contracts) as a member of the Governor General's Foot Guards, a senior reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Army.

Roland was nominated for a Quilt of Valour by the Eastview Legion Branch 462 in Ottawa, in acknowledgement both of his service as a Veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, and for his continued commitment to supporting Veterans; including his work with Canadian Legions, Veterans Affairs Canada, and through his artistic fundraising efforts at Perley Health.

Upon moving to Perley in 2021, Roland (an accomplished artist since the 1970s), was inspired and touched by the care he and his peers were receiving. He made it his mission to paint and then donate 100 paintings to the Perley Health Foundation, with all money raised to be put back into important programming that supports and transforms Veteran care. Roland works with the Ozerdinc Grimes Family Therapeutic Recreation and Creative Arts Program team to use his computer and art supplies to paint in his room—an artist in true form, making his world his studio. As of 2024, Roland has long surpassed his goal of 100 paintings and continues to create in honour of his comrades and fellow residents.

Congratulations on receiving your Quilt of Valour, Roland!

Present for the ceremony were Bill Redmond and Ray Baker representing Eastview Legion Branch 462; Roland's children, Carole Lalonde and Marlyn Hooper; Perley Health Studio Lead, Creative Arts, Ross Imrie; Michelle Proulx, Manager, Therapeutic Recreation and Creative Arts; Alma Cook, Veterans Liaison Coordinator; and friends from the Creative Arts Studio programming.

- Meg O'Connell

Quilts of Valour Canada recognizes Veterans and members of the Canadian Armed Forces for their service and commitment to our country through the presentation of quilts. The quilts are made by volunteers from across Canada. Roland's quilt was presented at Perley Health by Nancy Arbogast from Quilts of Valour Canada.