Presentations & Events
Honoring Our Heroes
April 6, 2013 Event at Freedom Quilts Shop
UPDATE FROM BETTY
What a day indeed. It started raining — something that I had hoped would’t happen. I have to share this with you because this happened as a sign to not worry, that everything would work out just fine. As it was raining, I asked the Lord to please let it stop raining for the families. I just didn’t want them to get wet. I wanted some kind of sign to know if He was listening. Well, I have a little church statue, and when you wind it up, the statue will play Amazing Grace. As I was walking to go outside, all of a sudden, I heard the little church play Amazing Grace. I knew it was my sign. And sure enough, the rain did stop just as the families arrived.
It was truly an emotional day. It started with the Legion Riders from Spencer who brought 65 flags to make the avenues of flags for the families. This group is all about honoring the families. The families always come first for them. And I did not have to worry at all because they had it all under control, trying to make it easier for me and for the families. The Storm Lake Legion Riders also helped out with escorting the families to the Freedom Quilts Shop.
Once the families arrived to the Freedom Quilts Shop, they were greeted with a big hug, a 21 gun salute and taps. Then, they entered the quilt shop where the families could feel the love and comfort radiating from all over the building. The shop was packed with so many people wanting to honor them.
We started with a prayer, National Anthem, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Then we continued with the battle cross and the folding of the flag. Our MC was Coach Wilkening — he’s not just a coach but a history teacher and someone who honors all heroes, for he has his own hero. The Coach’s son is serving this country also.
Our first speaker was Col Wiley, a great speaker who took the time to honor each of the heroes we were honoring that day. Our second speaker was Sheri Johnson. She talked about PTSD the pain of finding her son who had hung himself. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room as I looked around. She made you take the journey with her, and we all felt as though we were walking side by side with her. The most painful of all was when she said she gave birth to her loving son, and she had to pronoun him dead.
Our next speaker took us through her journey. Her brother was MIA. His helicopter went down in 1965, and his remains — thanks to Shirley Hasse — were finally brough back to the United States in 2009. Shirley never gave up, even when the government was not giving her much hope. She had so much determination. She remarked there are still many MIA whose remains need to come home.
We honored Coach Brad Wilkening for all he did to keep helping Freedom Quilts, and then we honored the Storm Lake St. Mary’s Boys’ Basketball team for being our number one donor. Third, we honored the Hillshire’s for being our number two donor who was willing to help us out.
We honored the Fort Des Moines Museum by making them a banner to display for all to see and for helping us get Col Wiley and Major Radtke come and speak to honor our heroes.
When all the speakers were done, we then called the families one by one and unfolded their quilts. The quilts had pictures of their love ones and things they requested to be put on the quilt. It told a story about each of them — something that they could cherish forever. It was emotional for the families and for me. I wanted to honor them all with respect and comfort and compassion. And so I worried if I did everything right for each of the families, but all it took was looking into their faces and seeing their reaction to know I did it right for them. We had honored the families right, and they will know that their loved ones will never be forgotten. All of us who were there would always be there for the families no matter what.
It was truly an emotional moment for all of us who were there also. All my energy went into making sure everything was done with so much love, compassion and faith. I was honored to hear from one of the families right away. She said that after the event was over and they returned to the hotel, the families all had supper together and even breakfast. A bond started and hopefully will continue to grow with each of them. That in itself gave me great happiness — that out of sadness, friendships were started.
Freedom Quilts, as long as it can, will continue to honor heroes and their families one at a time. For who lost a son or daughter or spouse, please let me know and I will try to do what I can to make you a quilt.
Thanks to the generous donations from the Storm Lake St. Mary boys Basketball team and Coach Wilkening, we were able to make quilts for many of families. The boys basketball team worked hard not only to go to state, but also to make enough money to honor the families who lost a loved one. Sherry Wells helped raise enough money so the families could stay two nights at King’s Pointe Resort as well as flowers, cake, cookies, and Limo service for the families. My son Wesley Nielsen took all the event photos that are on this website. The volunteers from myself to my husband, my son and grand kids, to friends Freedom Quilters all made this special memorial event possible. We even had a friend come all the way from Texas to help us.
This event is not just to honor the families, but to also to have the families meet other families and become friends and help one another out. There was a connection that was for sure, and you could see it in their faces as they all got together.
Read about the event in the news:
Pictured above (l-r): Betty Nielsen & Dennis Nielsen with the 9/11 Freedom Quilt
Freedom Quilts was honored to have its 9/11 Freedom Quilt displayed in its first-ever exhibition in the Fort Des Moines Museum in Des Moines, Iowa. The quilt was on display at the Museum on October 1st through November 11th, 2012.
Betty Nielsen commented that it was such a joy to have the 9/11 Freedom Quilt displayed at the Museum. Michael Kates, Tina Achebe, Sarch J. Myers and Lisa Whitmarsh Peterson expressed their pleasure at having the quilt displayed for all to see and remember that day, and to reflect on how they all felt on 9/11.
Message from Betty:
United we all were during that tragedy. It’s sad that it took something so devastating to bring us all together again, and yet so sad that we have gone back to forgetting what made us so strong to begin with. The 9/11 Freedom Quilt was made to remind us all of the love and caring we had for one another and how we came together to try and mend the hearts of those who were mourning. Let us never forget that day, and let us never forget what keeps this country going.
It took over two years to design the 9/11 Freedom Quilt. Visits with September 11th families provided Betty Nielsen with inspiration and a vision for this quilt — learning what touched families and what gave them the strength to carry on. The quilt was designed and pieced together by Betty. Dennis Nielsen embroidered each of the blocks as well as the beautiful quilting throughout the 9.11 Freedom Quilt.
Sponsored by the 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) U.S. Army Reserve, the Quilt Gallery was opened as part of the launch of the Veterans and Soldiers Arts Program. Video programming detailed the journey of Betty and Dennis Nielsen (Veterans of the US Air Force) and how they mobilized the country to create quilts for families suffering the loss of loved ones in the US Terrorist Attacks. Renowned for their expertise and tenacity, The Nielsens’ are still making quilts upon request to comfort families.
Photos from the 9/11 Freedom Quilt Exhibit
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.
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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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Many Special Thanks
We wish to extend a very special thank you to the following people. This event would not have been possible without their warm generosity.
Generous donors who contributed funds so families could stay at King’s Pointe:
David Allen
Debra Allen
Doug Allen
Viola Allen
Brad and Shelly Anderson
AmVets
Terry A Argotsinger
Bob Bennett
John Carter
Denise Sassman Agency
Ed and Becky Dewey
Andrea Easter
Michell and Tristan Fassler
Chad Husman
Fred and Danielle Jackson
Dennis Reyman
Desi and Larry Suter
United Bank
Sherry Wells
Mr. A. P. Wilhelm
Storm Lake Legion Riders for escorting families of honor.
King Limo Service for donating their limo services so the families
could be treated like royalty and driven in style.
Spencer Legion Riders and Polk City Legion Riders
for the 21-Gun Salute and Avenue of Flags.
Congressman Steve King for joining us
and delivering an eloquent, touching opening speech.
Colonel Steven Altman for joining us in honoring our fallen heroes.
And, special thanks to the families who allowed us to honor them
and the memory of their loved one.
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April 5, 2011
On April 2, 2011 Freedom Quilts hosted an event at the Freedom Quilts shop in special honor of three soldiers and one 9/11 firefighter’s family. During the memorial event, Freedom Quilts also unveiled the Tribute Center Quilt — a special quilt which will travel to its new home in New York City where it will remain on display at the WTC Tribute Center.
Honorees and Families
LCpl Joshua Davis, son of Beverly Russel
Sgt Joseph Milledge, son of Carla Milledge
A1C Brandy Fehr, daughter of Ron and Sandy Fehr
FF Jonathon Ielpi, son of Lee and Anne Ielpi
The honor ceremony began with a Flag Line by the Lake Area Chapter of the American Legion. Paul Henso played Taps, and Larry Heschke led us in the National Anthem. After a prayer by Pastor Terry Pollard, the dedicated volunteers of Freedom Quilts were introduced.
Photos from the Event
Hover your mouse over “notes” in the lower right-hand corner to see detailed photo captions.
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Many thanks to our generous Donors and dedicated Volunteers for making this event possible.
March 7, 2011
In honor of the 10th anniversary of September 11th, the National 9/11 Flag has been traveling across America. With each stop, volunteers have an opportunity to add their stitch and help repair the flag. The flag will eventually become part of an exhibit at the National 9-11 Memorial Museum in Lower Manhattan. For more information on the National 9/11 Flag, please visit national911flag.org.
Freedom Quilts Named among “Local Heroes of Iowa”
On Feb 24th, Freedom Quilts had the great privilege of helping to mend the National 9/11 Flag during its visit to Iowa.The event was held at Blue Robert Middle School in Eagle Grove where Freedom Quilts had the honor of being named among the “Local Heroes of Iowa”. As part of the Local Hero nomination, we were among the first Iowans to add a ceremonial stitch to the National 9/11 flag. Soon after, stitching was opened up to the general public.
Photos from the event in Eagle Grove
Hover your mouse over “notes” in the lower right-hand corner to see detailed photo captions.
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Founder of New York Says Thank You Visits FQ Shop
Jeff Parness, founder and chairman of New York Says Thank You, has been instrumental to the National 9/11 Flag Tour. And, as busy as this wonderful friend is with his own Flag Tour project, he didn’t hesitate to say yes when Betty asked if he would come and join us at the Freedom Quilts shop and help add a stitch for a fallen soldier’s family. Sure enough, the very next day Jeff Parness along with Carolyn and Denny Deters visited us at the Freedom Quilts shop and added their stitches to a quilt in honor of a fallen soldier.
When people say they can’t quilt and don’t have time, we will always look and think of Jeff — a truly busy person who makes the time to come and help. That is a true American. Freedom Quilts was touched and honored to have Jeff Parness as a friend along with Carolyn and Denny Deters come to help at our quilt shop.
Photos from New York Says Thank You’s visit to the Freedom Quilts shop
Hover your mouse over “notes” in the lower right-hand corner to see detailed photo captions.
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A message from Betty Nielsen…
It was truly an honor to put my stitch on this 9/11 flag. It’s like it brought these past ten years full circle for me. Almost ten years ago, we stepped up to a mission and a duty — not really knowing where this project was going to take us, just wanting to reach out and give comfort. Now almost a decade later, Freedom Quilts has given out 6,891 quilts to families of 9/11, flood victims, and now our fallen soldiers’ families.
We helped put stitches on the flag, and we were so honored to be there helping — to be a part of this wonderful event. Putting stitches on the 9/11 flag gave me so much honor and hope. If the flag, with all the devastation brought to it by 9/11, could be found torn at Ground Zero torn and now restored by thousands of stitches from helping hands across the country, then it means we are truly united. As we restore the National 9/11 Flag, so can we restore our country which we love so much.
To be consider heroes, I feel we are not. We are just American’s who are proud of this country and willing to step up to the plate and help out wherever needed.
April 15, 2007
Varina, Iowa
Freedom Quilts honored three soldiers by
inviting the soldiers’ families to Varina Iowa to receive a quilt.
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April 16, 2005
Varina, Iowa
An Event to Honor Four Soldiers’ Families
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Friday, April 23, 2004
Capitol View Elementary School
320 E 16th Street
Des Moines, Iowa
An event to honor Iowa soldiers
who died while serving our country in Iraq or Afghanistan.
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Freedom Quilts were Presented in Honor of
Gunnery Sgt Jeffery Bohr Jr
(Mr. and Mrs. Jeanette Edward Bohr mother and father)
PFC Ben Carman
(parents Nelson and Marie Carman)
Private Two Michael J Deutsch
(Parents Wayne and Ileane Deutsch)
Sergeant Paul Fisher
(wife Karen Fisher)
PVT Kurt Frosheiser
(parents Mr. Christopher L. Frosheiser father and Jeanie M. Hudson mother)
Specialist James M. Kiehl
(wife Jill Kiehl)
PFC David M. Kirchhoff
(wife Brooke Kirchhoff)
Specialist Joshua L. Knowles
(Les and Sandy Knowles parents)
Sgt Bradley S. Korthaus
(mother Marilyn Korthaus)
PVT Kenneth A. Nalley
(brother and mother Daniel Osborne and Roberta Brooks)
Specialist Aaron J. Sissel
(mother Jo Sissel father and stepmother Kirk and Cindy Sissel)
CWO4 Bruce A. Smith
(wife Oliva Smith)
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Freedom Quilts were sent to the Families not present
Gunnery Sgt Jeffery Bohr Jr
parents Edward & Jeanette Bohr
Sergeant Paul Fisher
wife Karen Fisher
PFC David M Kirchhoff
wife Brooke Kirchhoff
Specialist Joshua L Knowles
parents Les & Sandy Knowles
Sgt Bradley S Korthaus
mother Marilyn Korthaus
