Carron,

A couple years ago the Army Det 1 Company F 106th aviation lost a Chinook helicopter in Iraq. It was shot down. Some soldiers from Iowa and Illinois lost their lives. Some of the soldiers started a fund to do a memorial for the men who died.

Shad Meyers is from Anamosa. He has been in the Army for 16 years. He was the main man behind the memorial. He suggested that they look at Weber Stone Co. for the memorials. As they talked to me about the Chinook being shot down, I knew what our company had to do.

We designed and produced two very large memorials for the 106th. These memorials were 10 ft. x 5 ft. x 1 ft. - complete with the names of the soldiers who died and heliocopters and other scenes engraved into the stone. Two were made. One is located in Davenport, IA. The other is in Peoria, IL. The 106th did not have enough money for these. I would have donated the entire project, but the 106th refused stating that the money raised was for the memorials.

The only thing I wanted was them to pick the stones up with a Chinook helicopter. As we finished the project, one helicopter landed in the quarry and we loaded the memorials in the back of the Chinook. That was a first.

At the Veteren's Day assembly, on Nov. 10, 2006, Weber Stone Co. was presented a print drawn by an Army soldier. The print consisted of scenes from Iraq. It was dedicated to the 106th. There were only 106 of these prints made. Shad Meyers presented me #105. Of course, the 106th received #106. I am the only civilian to receive one of the prints. In my eyes, a true honor. Something money can never replace.

So that is the story.

My company did this to honor these fallen heros and all men and women who serve in the armed forces. Freedom comes at a price. These soldiers paid the ultimate price for that freedom. Keep the men and women of the armed forces in your prayers. Godspeed to bring them home safe.

Mike (Deutmeyer)

United States Air Force
9 Sept 1981 to 9 Oct 1987