Yellow Ribbon quilt presented to Whelan
From left to right: Sue Casler, Reverend Eugene Blair, and Paul Whelan with the quilt made using yellow ribbons tied around Manchester to keep him in our thoughts during his detention in Russia. Photo credit Lew Major.
by Colleen A. Schoenfeld
On Sunday, December 15, 2024, Sue Casler of Ovid, Mich., presented a special quilt to Manchester resident Paul Whelan. This quilt is one of a kind because it includes a unique fabric and a story within its layers. During Mr. Whelan’s five-year detention in Russia, residents of and around Manchester tied yellow ribbons around trees and light poles as a visible reminder of his detention and to keep him close in our thoughts as his parents, family, and community prayed for his safe return.
Yellow ribbons tied around a tree (or light pole) are a symbol traditionally used as a visual representation to mark the deployment of military service members away from home. Some historians date the practice as far back as the U.S. Civil War, but according to the National Museum of American Diplomacy, the practice became more widespread during the Iranian hostage situation, when Iran was holding U.S. embassy members and staff hostage in Tehran in 1979. Apparently, Penne Laingen, the wife of the leader of the U.S. embassy, suggested the practice for the hostage crisis, after being inspired by a popular 1973 song titled “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree.”
The yellow ribbons that had been displayed around Manchester were collected and used in the creation of this quilt, sewn by Sue Casler. Sue said that some time ago, Reverend Eugene Blair of the Emanuel United Church of Christ of Manchester, reached out to assign her a project, an important one. Sue has known Rev. Blair for years as he used to serve as interim pastor at her church in Ovid and Sue said Rev. Blair knew about her talent for sewing and quilt-making and called to ask for her help with this special project. Sue said she has been sewing for as long as she can remember, from the time she was a small girl with her mother. Besides the yellow ribbon fabric, Sue obtained the rest of the fabric for the quilt from the store Elaine’s Too in Ovid. She was also lent the use of a long-arm sewing machine, as well as thread, by her good friend Betty Stenger.
When asked, Sue said that Paul Whelan and his parents both expressed their thanks for the beautiful and meaningful gift.
Sue read the following statement when she presented the quilt to Mr. Whelan:
“Many quilts are more than a blanket to wrap up in or to place on a bed. This quilt has a story to tell. I invite you to take a closer look at all of the different components of this quilt. It is a gift for Paul Whelan.
While Paul was being held in a Russian prison, the people back home in Manchester tied yellow ribbons all over town to show their love and support in bringing him home safely. Upon Paul’s release, the ribbons were collected and became the main element for this quilt.
The yellow ribbons are woven among different fabrics. The blue batik fabric represents the sky and has been embroidered with meaningful words. Words that can tell their own story.
Listen to each word and think of the many life lessons they represent. Patience, Spirit, Justice, Family, Determination, Love, Commitment, Faith, Community, Honor, Peace, and Freedom.
Each word is embroidered with blue thread, which represents the Heavens where God’s love and strength was, and is, always with Paul.
The quilted stitching that holds everything together is in a pattern of high mountaintops and low valleys. This represents the moments of mountaintop experiences and the lowest moments of life where God travels with us. God has and will carry Paul through it all with His love.
Take a closer look at one of the fabrics and you might see all of the people that were praying, supporting, and loving Paul — waiting for him to come home safely.
The back of the quilt represents the fact that America had — and will always have — Paul’s back.
The batting (the middle layer) is what fills this quilt with love and warmth. But wait, the fabric that binds and holds this quilt together is all of the people that support, pray, and love you Paul. We are glad you are home — stay safe and God bless.”
From left to right: Sue Casler, Reverend Eugene Blair, and Paul Whelan with the quilt made using yellow ribbons tied around Manchester to keep him in our thoughts during his detention in Russia. The back of the quilt displays an American eagle. Photo credit Lew Major.
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