Blue Service Star takes new meaning Wounded Soldier receives quilt in memory of WWII Vet

Photo By Sgt. Jessica Kuhn | Sgt. 1st Class Justin G. Minyard, center, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, stands with 1st Lt. Kristopher E. Gullixson and his wife Rachel, during a ceremony at the 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division headquarters, March 24. Gullixson, a native of Spring Valley, Wis., and his wife presented Minyard with a quilt in memory of his late grandfather, Kenneth William "Bud" Gullixson, a World War II veteran. The quilts name is "Bud's Blue Star."  

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

03.31.2009

Story by Spc. Jessica Kuhn 

49th Public Affairs Detachment   

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Since World War I, the blue service star has served as a symbol to honor those Soldiers who are deployed away from their loved ones.

Sometimes you see them on a banner in the window of a house, other times maybe on a flag hanging outside and now days the more modern presentation of the blue service star, bumper stickers on cars.

In this instance, however, the blue service star was used as an emblem in a special quilt to help remember the sacrifices of past and present Soldiers.

Rachel Gullixson, wife of 1st Lt. Kristopher E. Gullixson, created a quilt in memory of her husband's late grandfather, Kenneth William "Bud" Gullixson, a World War II veteran, who recently passed away.

The quilt, named "Bud's Blue Star," was presented to Sgt. 1st Class Justin G. Minyard, a wounded Solider from the Warrior Transition Battalion, by both Gullixson and his wife, during a ceremony at the 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division headquarters, March 24.

The ceremony brought together the Army's past and present Soldiers, as well as the surrounding community, showing how the Army is one giant family, by giving a hero something he will hopefully never forget in memory of a fallen one, Rachel said.

Minyard's time and service in the Army could hardly be called anything other than heroic, Rachel announced during the ceremony.

Initially, Minyard, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, joined the Army as an infantry man more than 10 years ago. After a short tour of duty in Germany, he was then accepted into the Old Guard.

"During my time with the Old Guard I got the chance to be a part of a lot of memorable moments," Minyard said. "For example, I was part of President Ronald Reagan's funeral escort team, where I got to personally escort the former first lady."

Also during his time with the Old Guard, Minyard was part of the first responders at the pentagon following the Sept. 11, terrorist attacks.

Besides his time spent working with the Old Guard, Minyard served tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq in support of the war on terrorism.

It was during his tour in Iraq, Minyard's health took a turn for the worst and he was medically evacuated out of the country.

Minyard suffers from what is called degenerative disc disease, which now requires the use of a wheel chair because of the pain it causes him to walk, Minyard explained.

As a result of all Minyard's hard work, Gullixson said he couldn't be prouder to present him with the quilt in memory of his grandfather.

"I was very happy that Justin, who is a true hero, was the recipient of the quilt," 1st Lt. Gullixson, a native of Spring Valley, Wis., said. "Everyone who touched this quilt poured their love into it, and I couldn't be happier with how it came out. It was like it was preordained or something."

For Minyard, the day he received the quilt will be one he'll never forget.

"I will always remember this day as probably one of the best days I've had in the Army during my ten years of service," Minyard said.

Of course none of this would have been possible without the help of another important contributor to the quilt making process, Linda James, a quilter out of Seven Lakes, N.C.

"I was in desperate need to complete the quilt so we could present it to Justin before he left, so I started to scramble, calling all the long armors in the area," Rachel explained. "When I called Linda she said 'she would be honored to, part of the process' and long armored the quilt for me free of charge."

In spite of Minyard's current condition, he said he hopes to stay at Fort Bragg after being medically retired, either working somewhere he can use his ability to speak Arabic, or at the WTB where he can help Soldiers with their transition out of the Army.

"The resources and people at the WTB have been extremely helpful," Minyard said. "Plus my favorite part of being in the Army was always helping fellow Soldiers, so I would love to keep doing that."

In the end, it goes to show that something as simple as a quilt can touch the hearts of not only the families of our fallen Soldiers, but also our wounded heroes.

"It was overwhelming to receive something in the memory of someone's grandfather," Minyard said. "I was at a loss for words that they chose me, and I don't think I could say thank you enough."

• Date Taken: 03.31.2009
• Date Posted: 03.31.2009 16:57
• Story ID: 31829
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US