Quilts of Valor gifted to nine South Bend police officers who are military veterans
SOUTH BEND — There's love in every stitch.
In its first dispersal of Quilts of Valor to be held at the South Bend Police Department on June 13, families and friends gathered to share this moment of honor with their loved ones.
"Anyone who has served this country should definitely be recognized," said Erica Broecker, who's on the leadership team of the local Quilts of Valor chapter in South Bend. "Quilts of Valor is a lifetime honor. It was made with love. It's to thank you for your service and your commitment to our country and to our community."
Nationally, Quilts of Valor has given almost 400,000 quilts to veterans since founder Catherine Roberts started the mission in 2003. The South Bend chapter has given 500 quilts since it started in 2015, including one to South Bend Police Department Chief of Police Scott Ruszkowski.
It's the local chapter's goal to wrap every service member with a quilt. All quilt materials are purchased through donations, Broecker said, and each quilt can cost up to $350. Each quilt is made with the involvement of one to five people with a hand-sewn edging and label on the back.
On Thursday, all nine honorees were South Bend Police officers, each given a different design with a variation of patriotic colors. The quilts were wrapped around the honorees by their loved ones as an expression of gratitude. The nine officers who received a quilt included:
● Officer Chris Camparone, U.S. Army from 1998 to 2008
● Jonathan Campbell, Jr., currently serves in the U.S. Army from 2021
Officer Campbell's wife, Marah, received his quilt for him. She said it felt nice that her husband was honored in the midst of his full plate of being an officer, currently serving in the Army and as a father to their daughter, Aurora.
● Officer Robert DeLee, U.S. Air Force from 1993 to 2020
● Officer Alan Froula, U.S. Army from 2017 to 2024
● Detective Briar Johnston, U.S. Marines from 2011 to 2015
● Officer Brandon Martin, currently serves in the U.S. Army National Guard after joining the U.S. Army in 2002
● Officer Antonio Pacheco, U.S. Marines from 1991 to 1995
● Detective Nicholas Pogotis, U.S. National Guard 2003 to 2010
● Officer Kristin Stantz, currently serves in the U.S. Army National Guard from 2016
For Stantz, receiving a quilt was something personal that can give comfort to her children.
"It's a very big honor," Stantz said. "It's something that I get to keep with me and something my kids can have with them when I'm not there. It's a reminder to them that I'm still with them when I can't physically be there."