Spc. Dennis Jensen - Funeral

As reported by KSFY:

"Gov. Dennis Daugaard asks that all flags in the state be flown at half-staff on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011, from 8 a.m. until sunset, in honor of National Guard Specialist Dennis G. Jensen of Sioux Falls.
 Jensen, formerly of Vermillion, died in a noncombat accident Aug. 16 in Afghanistan while working on a bridge project.
"This was a tragic accident, and South Dakota has once again lost one of its heroes," Gov. Daugaard said. "I offer my sincere condolences to Specialist Jensen's family and friends."
 The funeral service for Jensen, 21, will be held Thursday at the United Church of Christ, 218 W. 5^th Street in Yankton, at 10 a.m. CDT.  Burial, with full military honors, will be at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis."

Spc. Dennis Jensen

We are sad to learn that Spc. Dennis Jensen of the 200th Engineering Company of the South Dakota National Guard has died in Afghanistan as the result of an accident on a bridging mission.  Our prayers go out to his family.

The Argus Leader provides details.

KSFY has more information.

Community Sewing Days

Thrivent Financial For Lutherans Check Presentation

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans check presentation in support of the work done by volunteers with the 200th Camo Quilt Project.

200th EN CO Parade and Convoy

A piece of us goes with them

Four ordinary buses cruising on South Dakota Interstate 90.

Four ordinary buses shuttling 187 of our soldiers, and pieces of us, to Ft. McCoy, WI for pre-deployment training.

200th EN CO Community Appreciation Ceremony

Words cannot describe it, they just cannot. 

Roll was called near the end of the program. As the soldier's name was called, that soldier rose, walked up on stage, shook hands with the dignitaries and then exited the stage to receive a camouflage Bible and a bag of goodies.  The last name to be called was Jared Roe, the young soldier who passed away earlier in the week. 

"Jared Roe," called the sargeant.  "Jared Roe," he called again. "Jared Roe," he called a third time.

In unison, the unit stood up and responded in one voice, "PRESENT."  And then we all started to cry.

Community Appreciation Ceremony and Remembrance

Included in the Ceremony at the Armory will be a remembrance of Jared Roe who tragically passed away in a swimming accident on Monday, May 9.

One More Work Date

We are so excited to be nearing the end of our project to make 200 camouflage quilts for members of the 200th Engineer Company of the South Dakota Army National Guard.

One more work date is scheduled for Saturday, Apr. 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Chamberlain. Lunch provided.

If you have a sewing machine, bring it along.  If you don't sew, there's still plenty to do.

We will be attaching cards to the quilts and making tied fleece blankets for use in Hero Packs, a project that is providing back packs for the children of guard members.

Join us please as we work to finish up this phase of our project. And, as always, if you want to make a donation, please send a check to Chamberlain/Oacoma Chamber of Commerce/CBV, 115 W. Lawler Street, Chamberlain, SD, mark check "200th Camo Quilts".

Your support is appreciated.

200th Camo Quilt Project Joins Forces with OPERATION MILITARY KID

Volunteers with the 200th Camo Quilt Project are partnering with Operation Military Kid to make Hero Packs for area children whose military parents are soon to be deployed.

Holly Reis, Family and Consumer Science Educator with the Brule County Extension Office has secured enough fleece from South Dakota OMK Coordinator Sheila Snyder in Rapid City to make fifty tied fleece blankets. The blankets will be used in birth to three Hero Packs.

Volunteers are meeting at Zion Lutheran Church, Chamberlain on Friday, Mar. 18 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, Mar. 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to continue their work of making camouflage quilts, making tied quilts and assembling Hero Packs. 

The Hero Pack back packs contain age appropriate items such as cameras and books.  Hero Packs are given free of charge to children from birth to 18 years old who parents are about to be deployed.  All items for Hero Packs are provided by OMK.

 

More Sewing Dates and Projects to Support the 200th En Co

March sewing dates are set on Fridays from 5 - 8 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Chamberlain. Mar. 4 and 5, Mar. 12 (1 - 3 p.m.), Mar. 18 and 19, Mar. 25 and 26.  Sewing skills not required. For a list of what to bring with you, see our Community Quilting Day tab.

And we are partnering with Operation Military Kids in South Dakota to make Hero Packs for children whose parents will be deployed with the 200th Engineer Company of the South Dakota Army National Guard.

Hero Packs are backpacks that contain age appropriate items for children birth to 18 and a letter from a non-military child. They will be distributed before the 200th En Co is deployed.

Volunteers are need to tie fleece quilts for the infant Hero Packs and to assemble the packs from provided materials.

Join us, please.

Commemoration

It's hard to put into words what we are feeling today.  The South Dakota Legislature is recognizing the efforts of the 200th Camo Quilt Project with a Commemoration: House Commemoration No. 1017. If you are in Pierre around 2 p.m. today, you can witness the event.

click on image to enlarge

Quilt Making Days Added to Schedule

As word has gotten out about the 200th Camo Quilt Project, more volunteers are helping with the project. Additional sewing days are scheduled in Pierre at New Life Assembly of God Church. Light lunch and refreshments will be served.

Sat., Feb. 19 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Sat. Mar. 5 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Pierre coordinator is Mryna at 605-222-6847.

Thank you for helping make it possible for every member of the 200th Engineer Company of the South Dakota National Guard to have a camouflage quilt for use during their deployment to Afghanistan. And, as always, donations are appreciated.

We Need You!

We Need You! Volunteers are springing into action for the 200th Camo Quilt Project. Work has begun on making 200 quilts for the 200th Engineer Company of the South Dakota Army National Guard to use during their deployment to the Middle East.

Community Quilting Events 
Zion Lutheran Church, Chamberlain

Sat. Jan. 29 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Thurs. Feb. 10 - 5 - 8 p.m.
Sat. Feb. 26 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Kimball Protestant Parish, Kimball
Sat. Feb. 19 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Refreshments and a light meal are provided at each event.

Volunteers do not need sewing skills to help with this project.  Your donations are greatly appreciated.

200th Camo Quilt Project

The 200th Camo Quilt Project is gearing up to make 200 quilts for members of the 200th Engineer Company of the South Dakota Army National Guard, soon to be deployed to the Middle East.

Project organizers are recruiting volunteers to make the quilts and are raising $5,200 to cover project expenses.

How did the 200th Camo Quilt Project get started?  Ione Jones, who is now the project manager, saw a segment about the Camo Quilt Project on Sewing with Nancy. Jones thought camo quilts were needed for the soon-to-be deployed members of the 200th Engineer Company of the South Dakota Army National Guard. Jones contacted Linda Wieck, organizer of the Camo Quilt Project and solicited assistance from area American Legion Auxiliaries. In no time at all the 200th Camo Quilt Project committee was formed.

Committee members ordered 200 quilt kits from the Camo Quilt Project. They began meeting to plan for the logistics of making those 200 quilts. And they started sewing sample quilts and training volunteers to lead Community Quilting Events.

The lightweight camouflage quilts have a cotton batting and are made from the same fabric as the uniforms worn by service personnel. They are 45" x 72", fold in thirds and tie up like a sleeping bag. Camo quilts have a waterproof side, making the quilt a good ground cover for sleeping on. Quilts are also used as a light cover or shelter from the weather.