5 Families Honored & Heroes Remembered

May 1, 2012

The families of honor gathered at King’s Pointe in Storm Lake, Iowa. Ushered in by limo and escorted by the Storm Lake Legion Riders, families arrived at the Freedom Quilts Shop at about 2:00 p.m. on April 7th, 2012.

The families honored during this special event were:

Mary Van Cannon from Iowa
Mother of CSM Marilyn Gabbard

David Muhr from Iowa
Father of SPC Shawn Muhr

Jim and Diane Balsley from Iowa,
Parents of Spc Michael Balsley

Sondra and Andy Andrews from Texas,
Parents of 2nd Lt Darryn Andrews

Monica McNeal from Washington State,
Mother of Lcpl Eric Ward

Hover your mouse over “notes” in the lower right-hand corner to see detailed photo captions.

Click here to view the full-screen slideshow.

The families of honor rode through a beautiful avenue of flags held tall and strong by the Spencer Legion Riders and Polk City Legion Riders. The avenue of flags stretched from the Nielsen’s driveway all the way to the Quilt Shop. Families were honored with a 21-Gun Salute and a performance of taps.

Once the families were inside the Quilt Shop, the program commenced by honoring our fallen soldiers with the battle cross. Kary Dean then sang the National Anthem and all joined in to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Brad Wilkening, a very good friend of Freedom Quilts, was the emcee. Here is how the rest of this heart-felt day unfolded…

Father Siby led us in prayer.

Congressman Steve King gave the opening speech.
Congressman King truly spoke from the heart, and his message rang true through all of our hearts and minds… Our service men and women are very important to this country. The families were truly touched to have Congressman King honor and remember their loved ones.

Colonel Steven Altman shared an important reminder for us all.
Colonel Steven Altman urged all of us to remember that when we support our soldiers’ families, it makes it easier for them to do their jobs.

*** PRESENTATION OF QUILTS ***

Presentation of Quilt to
Mary Van Cannon, Mother of Command Sgt Major Marilyn Gabbard

Marilyn loved shooting pool and playing cards. She was a proud member of the M&M family — “M&M” because their names all started with the letter M. The quilt was adorned with pictures of Marilyn when she was little, and as she was growing up. The quilt also had many embroidered images that spoke a story of Marily’s loves and passions. A convertible mustang was embroidered onto the quilt, along with dogtags, an emblem of the service where she honorably served, combat boots, a heart with “M & M”, a great card-playing hand, a Hawkeye, golf club and fishing, for she loved fishing.

Presentation of Quilt to
David Muhr, Father of SPC Shawn Muhr

Shawn loved wrestling and football. His number was 77, and they called him “The Ox”. Shawn also loved fishing. When Shawn was a young boy, he once caught a walleye that he he was so proud of, he wanted to have it mounted. But as his dad recalled, the walleye was really, really small — much too small to have mounted. David smiled as he talked about his son’s fish story, and he made the rest of group chuckle right along with him. Shawn also loved hunting, and he loved his Bud light — which was also included on the quilt. The quilt had Shawn’s emblem of service, dogtags, and combat boots. The quilt also had plenty of photos of Shawn. As always, these photos show that he had a life full of things he loved doing, and a family that loved him so very much. And, that Shawn wanted to do more — he wanted to reach out and protect us all.

Presentation of Quilt to
Jim Balsley, Vietnam Veteran and Father of SPC Michael Balsley

As a Vietnam Veteran, Jim Balsley understood war and the pain that went with it. Jim talked about his son being 4 years old and how, even at that young age, he wanted to serve his country. Jim would tell his son, Michael, war stories. And Michael told his dad that he wanted to join the services so, one day, he could tell his own war stories.

Presentation of Quilt to
Sondra and Andy Andrews, Parents of 2nd Lt Darryn Andrews

Sondra and Andy came all the way from Texas to receive their quilt, which was full of memories. Their son Darryn was in the Voice of Democracy, he was in football, basketball, loved mountain climbing, fishing and flying kites. Most of all, he loved his son and was so proud of his little boy. His beautiful wife was pregnant, and unfortunately, 2nd Lt Darryn Andrews never got to see his little girl. Sondra and Andy also received two quilts to take back for their grandchildren — we never forget the children of our fallen.

Presentation of Quilt to
Monica McNeal, Mother of CLPL Eric Ward

Eric was a handsome young man. “Oh to look into those eyes, you couldn’t help but to melt,” his mother said. She talked about a gray cat that Eric once wanted, and she just couldn’t say no to him. And on the quilt, there was a little gray cat. Oh and breakfast, he loved breakfast. Then there was the song Monica used to sing to her little boy each night before bedtime — You Are My Sunshine, My Only Sunshine. Eric was also very into sports, and was loved by many. He had such a beautiful smile that you just couldn’t say no to him.

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Each of the families received a rose and a gift certificate. The families were in awe with their quilts and promised to spread the word to those who haven’t yet received one. It was a day to remember, a day for the families to know they were not alone — that others honor and respect their love ones.

We hope parents of fallen heroes and their spouse come forward, so that we can also honor them. Please email Betty at debeniel@ncn.net or call her at 712-288-5328 for more information on joining us for next year’s event. We hope next year to honor other families as they come forward with a quilt request.

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