The plans of at least six months were coming together again for our annual luncheon for the families of the Virginia Memorial Quilt Project. August 13, 2011 at the Battlefield VFW Post 9808 was the day that would bring special new friendships and bring memories of those wonderful men and women we honor.

We had a great program planned and received RSVP’s from 100 family members that were planning to attend. The excitement grew for us every day when the mail carrier would bring more envelopes with responses.

As the guests arrived, our Junior Hostesses – Gracie Kinney and Casey Belcher offered guests to get them a cold drink. They were beyond precious and really did a great job. We were honored to have the Battlefield VFW Post 9808 present and post the Colors for us. Next the children took flags from their tables and came up front and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The family of each serviceman or servicewoman who was present was recognized and given our Annual Program and the CD with the Power Point Presentation of the Virginia Memorial Quilt Project Family Album, which took approximately 200 hours to create.

Miss Geneva Dyer sang all of the Theme Songs of the Branches of our Armed Forces. She was incredible and it was beyond words for her to share her special gift with us. We do hope she will agree to return next year and the year after that and the year after that. Later in the program, she also sang “Thank You, Soldiers” that was written by a music teacher in Colonial Heights, VA and this time, this little angel bough tears to many eyes, including mine.

We were most pleased to have COL Gregg Goldsmith and his wife, Beth, representing Ft. Lee. COL Goldsmith and his wife met each family and was a wonderful addition to our program. A sincere “Thank You” to COL Goldsmith and Beth for taking time from your busy schedule to join us this special day.

We were very pleased to have Mr. Barney Sias, Army Survivor Outreach Services Coordinator present to give the families some information they might not have already received on assistance that is available to them.

Certificates of Appreciation were presented to the Battlefield VFW Post 9808 for allowing us to hold our annual even in their facility – this being the 5th annual luncheon. Joan Scott, an incredibly talented quilter received a Certificate of Appreciation for making and donating a quilt that has now been proudly hung in the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, VA. Last but not least, on our website – we have a special area for “Children Left Behind” and open it to children to write an essay to be put on our website. Dharma Samten, daughter of Specialist Tenzin L. Samten gave his life on March 13, 2008 for Freedom. Dharma wrote one such essay and we presented her with a Certificate of Appreciation for sharing her words and feelings with us. Dharma is a wonderful, caring, loving little girl and she will hold a special place in my heart forever! I even want to give her a puppy or a pony, but her mother has not agreed to either yet!

Next on the program was the reading of the 182 heroes we were honoring and will continue to honor each year. The first group of readers was Joyce Birch of Glen Allen, VA and Barney Sias, Army Survivor Outreach Services Coordinator. The second group was Lisa Kinney and her son, David Kinney, of Richmond, VA. The last group was Rev. Rocky Angoni of Chester, VA and Debbie Elam of Powhatan, VA. We are committed to read every name every year we hold this event…it is not only important to those in attendance but to those who are unable to attend. A somber time, but a time of reflection and remembrance.

Rev. Rocky Angoni blessed our meal and everyone enjoyed the good food prepared by the Battlefield VFW Post 9808 and the Volunteers of the VMQP.

The Virginia Chapter of the Honor and Remember Organization, Brenda and Robert Ike of Virginia Beach, VA presented a flag to Viola Jackson, mother of SPC Leslie Denise Jackson from Richmond, VA who was killed at the age of 18 while serving in the United States Army A Co., 115th Forward Support Bat, 1st Cavalry Div in Baghdad. The flag was embroidered with Leslie’s name, rank and the date she gave her life.

Our next guest speaker, Mr. Greg Conover of Smithfield, Virginia gave us an interesting overview to the ages of those serving and the branches of the Armed Forces of the United States who participated in wars dating back to the Civil War. Greg’s information was most interesting and we enjoyed his presentation.

K9 Roxy, a German Shepherd Dog was a guest at the 2011 Celebration of the Life of a Virginia Soldier representing U.S. Marine 1Lt Joshua L. Booth’s family dog named Roxy, from Hawaii, where Josh and his family were based at Kanehoe Bay Marine Corps Base. On October 17, 2006 Josh was killed in action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He left behind his wife, 18 month old daughter and unborn son. After Joshua’s passing, rather than leaving Roxy behind, the family brought her home to the mainland where she continues to be a beloved family member. K9 Roxy is now an operational Search and Rescue (SAR) canine and part of a volunteer K9 SAR team in Virginia. She serves as a living affirmation of Josh’s life, and like Josh, she lives and works to serve others. Josh’s uncle, Blackburn Booth is her trainer and handler and they make a wonderful team.

We read together the Irish Blessing, thanked everyone for attending and enjoyed dessert and some additional fellowship time.

I looking back on this event, there were many moments that made me proud of the work of the Virginia Memorial Quilt Projects – but to stand in front of the families of our heroes makes me a better person, in mind, body and spirit. God Bless the memory of each hero we honor and we hope to see everyone again next year for the 2012 Celebration of the Life of A Virginia Soldier…

This program would not have been possible without the help of so many VMQP Volunteers, special thanks to each of you…

Most sincerely,
Debbie Elam, Chairman