by Dennis Dalman
Thirteen Sartell police officers were presented with honorary homemade quilts by a group of quilting women dubbed “Quilts of Honor.”
The special presentation occurred at the Oct. 14 Sartell City Council meeting.
The spokeswoman for the group, Cindy Cleave, said “Quilts of Honor” had given two quilts to Sartell officers during last year’s Sartell Middle School’s “Lunch with a Veteran” event, but they only had two quilts at that time. Then, a Sartell woman and fellow quilter, along with others, bought big bundles of fabric for more quilts, and the the hard work of cutting and stitching began. After many hours of meticulous work by the women, the results were 11 dazzling, colorful quilts – many of them in patriotic colors of red, white and blue. Another local quilting group, “The Cut Ups,” contributed two of the 13 quilts.
The ”Quilts of Honor” are given as tangible “thank-yous” to public servants who often risk their lives for the sake of public safety, public protection – police officers, deputies, firefighters, military veterans, first responders, doctors, nurses and others who work in emergency services.
The quilts have been presented to deserving recipients for the past 15 years.
“It’s a way for us to show appreciation for your commitment and dedication,” said the group’s presenter. “Many times your jobs can be thankless, and you may feel unappreciated. But from the bottom of our hearts, we want to let you know your service is appreciated. And these quilts are hugs from us.”
At that, the giving-of-the-quilts presentation began. Two quilting women at a time and the honored officer walked to the front of the city-council chamber where the officer was presented with a quilt and hugs.
The following officers were honored: Steve Mathews, Jordan Miller, Logan Eck, Jake Walters (also a U.S. Army veteran), Kari Bonfield, John Batterberry, Rob Lyon, Derek Whitehead, Emma Brown, Allen Sanna, Jill Lundquist, Curt Grosz and Brad Kadlac.
A few of the officers were not able to be at the presentation.
After all the quilts were given and accepted with thanks, Sartell Police Chief Brandon Silgjord, who was present, quipped in jest to the officers, “No, this doesn’t mean you get a napping policy.”
The remark caused officers and others to express a ripple of amusement.
Steve Mathews, a Sartell police officer, thankfully accepts a homemade quilt from two quilt-makers from the “Quilts of Honor” group. He was one of 13 officers to be honored with quilts at the Oct. 14 Sartell City Council meeting. Watching on the right is Sartell Police Chief Brandon Silgjord.
