The Quilts of Honor program was started by Army veteran Gail Belmond in California and is now expanding nationwide. Gail sounded taps at funerals of comrades who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. The purpose of Quilts of Honor is to honor all veterans and active service personnel for their contributions to our nation.
On Oct. 17, Quilts of Honor were presented to 37 past and present members of the color and honor guards for the Pine City, Minn., American Legion Post 51 and Pine City VFW Post 4258. The program was coordinated by Lyn Johnson and the quilts were made by four ladies from the area pictured below: Lyn Johnson, Barb Heljm, Gladys Enzenauer and Leone Nyers.

The VFW quilts were presented by Auxiliary President Carol Belko, and the American Legion quilts were presented by American Legion Auxiliary President Linda Setterlund. This is an outstanding example of the Legion and the VFW working together for the benefit of the community.

The Pine City High School Choir sang our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “Salute to the Armed Forces” and “America the Beautiful”. (Image 7006)

To close out the program, country-western guitarist and singer Tim Hadler performed Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be An American”.

Pictured below is one of the QOH recipients, Vietnam Navy veteran Ed Sauter, and his wife, Shelly. (Image 7068)

Pictured below is Navy veteran Scott Jeanson and his wife, Sandy. (Image 7107(2))

Pictured below is Army Vietnam veteran Duane Dahlstrom. (Image 7095)