Stattelman receives Quilt of Valor from Lyons
Holly Lyons (left) chose to use material that was indicative of the military such as camouflage in different colors and fabric with military words on it to make the “Quilt of Valor” for Jeremy Stattelman rather than the traditional red, white and blue. She awarded him the quilt at his place of employment, Cornbelt Power Cooperative.
By APRIL KELLEY
Being far from loved ones on your own can be mentally taxing enough, but add in living in less than ideal conditions, the danger of things exploding around you or getting shot and the mental fatigue of a service member grows exponentially.
One proven way to help with the mental stress of deployment is to be able to maintain a connection with home. While technology has definitely helped to keep people connected who are far apart, there is still something very special about getting a package from home to lift a person’s spirits.
Jeremy Stattelman was lucky to have a fellow Humboldt resident who dedicated herself to sending him packages from “home” every week when he deployed not once, but twice.
Jeremy enlisted in the National Guard in 2000 and by 2002 he was sent to the Sinai Peninsula. There, he was part of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), an international peacekeeping force overseeing the terms of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.
“I was with the infantry with the National Guard out of Iowa Falls. I did base security and desert training while I was there,” Stattelman said.
He came home after a year at the end of 2003 only to be sent back to the Middle East in 2005.
“I was with the 34th Division based out of Waterloo then. (It was) Not the same as the first time I went over,” Stattelman said.
The 1st Brigade, 34th Division, was deployed for 22 months, with 16 of those months in Iraq. the longest deployment of the National Guard since World War II. This time he was a scout and a sniper.
“Iraq was so different from Egypt. You just never knew if today was when you would step on an IED (Improvised Explosive Device),” Stattelman said.
He had just gotten married ten days before being deployed to Iraq and now he would be gone for almost two years from everyone he loved. Mail meant the world to him.
“At home you get mail and it’s bills and flyers for the internet or other junk mail but there, everything you get is special because it’s coming from back home. It’s one of the things you look forward to the most there, getting your letter or package,” Stattelman said.
For Stattelman, that consistent sender was Holly Lyons.
Lyons had heard about sending packages to service members from various people and websites. She wanted to do her part in helping the Humboldt residents who had been deployed, so she thought she would give sending packages a try.
“I am so grateful to the those who serve to protect our liberties and I thought this is one small thing I can do to show them that,” Lyons said.
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