Cpl. Dustin R. Donica

YELLOW RIBBON FENCE

Paradise Valley

at the corner of 52nd Street and Thunderbird Road

Scottsdale, Arizona

This is a memorial to remind others that there are soldiers who served and gave their lives on America’s behalf in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  To the organizers, each yellow ribbon symbolizes an actual person who said, “I’m going to go and fight for you so that you can have your freedom.”  They felt it was important that citizens not forget and remind them to show respect and gratitude to those who sacrifed their lives to protect this country.  Fifteen volunteers joined in the effort to have this fence of remembrance completed by July 4, 2008.

Each yellow ribbon has the first name and age of a fallen warrior from Operation Iraqi Freedom.

My Aunt Grace and Uncle Ron used to live in Scottsdale, AZ.  They still receive and read the local newspaper where they found out about the Yellow Ribbon Fence.  They drove to Scottsdale to see the memorial fence and add Dustin’s picture to his ribbon. 

At first they couldn’t locate Dustin’s yellow ribbon, but just as they were to give up finding it and head back to their car in the sweltering 106 degree heat, Uncle Ron said, “Let’s just look one more time.”  And sure enough, there it was, “it popped out—Dustin, 22—I swear it was placed in my hand,”  he said.  I am so thankful that they took a second look so that there is now a face to go along with Dustin’s name.  Aunt Grace said that they will go back occasionally to see if anyone else has added pictures to ribbons on the fence which pays tribute to our nation’s fallen warriors.  Thank you, Aunt Grace and Uncle Ron, for always being on the lookout for articles and memorials that remember America’s finest.  -Judy

An Extra Special Friend

Jimmy Daley

“If Dustin would have been at Jimmy’s birthday party, I can guarantee there would have been a third frosting mustache in this picture.”  - Judy

“Dustin’s birthday is July 11th and his wonderful friend Jimmy Daley celebrates his birthday on July 13th.  Jimmy’s wife Shawna, another of Dustin’s extra special friends, and I have decided that with those two birthdays so close in time, it’s no wonder that Dustin and Jimmy were so similar in character and best of friends.  

It is a tradition in the Daley household for Shawna to bake cupcakes for Jimmy’s birthday party.  This past July was no exception. 

The Daley’s invited their Alaska friends over for a celebration and lighted a candle on a cup cake just for Dustin, too, as they all felt it was only right.

Happy Birthday, Jimmy, and thank you for being such an extra-ordinary friend to Dustin!”  -Judy