PO2 Justin Jacob McNeley
Justin Jacob McNeley, 30, a petty officer 2nd class and father of two, was due to return to the U.S. in August. He followed his father’s footsteps into the Navy, enlisting about eight years ago and re-upping when his term was finished.
McNeley was found by a search patrol near a bullet-riddled sport utility vehicle. Burial services were held at the Archdiocese of Denver Mortuary and his burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery on Friday August 6, 2010.
This quit was made by Freedom Quilts for his mother in honor of Army Staff Sgt. Kimberly A. Voelz.
Email from Sharon Wood, Mother of of PO2 Justin Jacob McNeley
Hello Betty,
I wanted to Thank you so much for the beautiful memory quilt(s) that you made for me and my Grandson. I love, Love, LOVE them, I can’t think of a finer gift and they will be CHERISH always. I also want to let you know how much I appreciate your kind and heartfelt letter of encouragement so very much of what you spoke about is like you have eyes into my heart and soul, either you are very intuitive or may have had to endure similar loss.
Justin was killed the day after my 50th birthday, and just one month short of returning state side. So birthday’s both mine and his, are by far the hardest days still, but never does a day go by that I don’t think of him and wish that I could hug him and hear him say “ I Love You, Mom” We were very close and shared many dreams and had made many future plans for ourselves once he retired from the Navy. So many things that we wanted to accomplish and we’ll never have the opportunity to do.
I have attached a picture of myself with the quilt for you to use on your website or as you feel appropriate. I sincerely appreciate all the work, love and prayers that you put into each and every stitch, you are an Angel, May God bless you.
Warmly,
Sharon Wood
Hualapai, Arizona
Mother of PO2 Justin Jacob McNeley
Ron and Sandy Fehr, parents of A1C Brandy Fehr, attended a special Freedom Quilts event on April 5, 2011 in honor and memory of fallen soldiers and a 9/11 firefighter.
“Again thank you for the quilt. It is the most beautiful quilt I have even seen and it tells Joe’s story. You are one talented lady and so is your husband and the others who help you. I showed the quilt at work and people were amazed at the love that was put into it. One questions asked was long did it take to make? Very glad to have met you and a Happy Birthday to you with much love.” - Carla Milledge
Carla Milledge is Sgt Joseph Milledge’s mother. On April 5, 2001 she attended a special event at Freedom Quilts in honor and memory of soldiers and a 9/11 firefighter.
Sgt Robert Carr, In Loving Memory
Betty,
I know that you have been looking for this email from me… I have been trying to think of what to say to you. There are no words that I can use to tell you how Shawn’s quilt has made me feel. Your heart is in this quilt, not only in the stitches but in the whole of the quilt. My love for my son is sewn into every word, and your love for this country is what will hold it together for years to come.
From the very depth of my braking heart, I say thank you. Thank you alone does not say what I want to say. For you to have listened to GOD 10 years ago, for Shawn to have heard the call of his country, and for me to cross paths with you only because you both did what GOD asked of you. Only through great pain will we see the will of GOD! I bless you and all that you have done for so many. I only hope that I can one day meet you, work with you and may that quilt be for a joyful reason. You are a very blessed person and you inspire me. You have blessed me, thank you, thank you…
I know that you want a picture and I will get one to you shortly. I am at all with the work that you do, it’s just what I had pictured in my head but so much more. I thought that Micheal Reagan’s drawing caught Shawn’s spirit in his eyes, but you have caught mine in this quilt… I wish that I could find the words to tell you how I feel but there are none that are adequate. I can only say that I am blessed! When I am able to find blessing out of Shawn’s death my soul sings! It’s singing louder then ever!
Your friend and sister in Christ,
Robin
Proud Gold Star Mother of
Lcpl Shawn P Hefner
Afghanistan 11-13-09
henryhefner.weebly.com/shawn-hefner
www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-449090
In Loving Memory of Spc Kyle A. Little
