I received a beautiful wood memory box for our son Sgt Dillon Semolina. The details were amazing. We keep his medals and a bunch of other military items inside. It’s such a blessing to our family. We felt all the love put into this box as soon as we opened it. Thank you so very much for an heirloom the will continue to be passed down.
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We actually received a memory box in Honor of our Son Sgt Dillon Semolina and his sacrifice and can't even put into words what this beautiful box means to us. We display his most precious metals and honors earned into this box along with photo's 7 his dog tags. We have this placed on top of our fireplace in the living room and it makes me smile when I see his name engraved in the front.
Fallen Soldier Memorabilia Boxes help along the journey of healing and hope to us Gold Star families. This is definitely a title you never want to have and it's non-profit groups like this that help take just a little bit of that pain away and deliver something so special that it makes us feel his sacrifice will not be forgotten.
We've also donated to this organization and will continue to do so as this mission is so very important. We need to pay this forward to the next family that is placed on this journey that they didn't ask for.
Thank you so very much,
The family of Sgt Dillon Semolina
We received a beautiful memory box in honor of our son, SPC Edward Acosta. It is so beautiful and well made. We are so thankful for our son being honored in this manner. It means the world to the families of fallen soldiers that they are never forgotten.
The memory box project and their donors are so gracious. As a Gold Star beother (my brother CPT Raymond D. Hill was killed in Iraq) I received the memory box, at no cost to our family, that I have shared with hundreds of people including family, friends, and complete strangers.
We received our memory box with our fallen soldiers name on it this year . The workmanship and the obvious care they took in assuring it arrived undamaged was incredible. What wonderful heartfelt gift to have in our home. Our son SPC Alan N. Dikcis was KIA on March,5 2010 .this memory box will be filled with pictures and some small Keepsake's we have of Alan's childhood. We will be passing it on to his daughter Sophia who was 3 yrs old when he waskia in Afghanistan. Words cannot describe how truly grateful we are in having this beautifully crafted and heartfelt gift to hold our memories. Thank you so much. ..... Robert and Gigi Dikcis Gold Star Mom
The recipients of these memorial boxes are the Mother's/Father's/Brother's and Sisters of the loved ones who gave their lives for our country. These personalized memorial boxes often sit side by side of the triangular folded flag representing their ultimate sacrifice for our country. The Memorabilia Boxes mean so much more to the families, as it allows them to a special place to store and display mementos of their loved ones life. When I learned of this non-profit, I gladly donated a box and was subsequently invited to meet David and his family and tour his small shop where he personally makes these keepsakes. I know of no better way to thank the families who have endured so much loss and pain.
I haven't had personal use for a memory box, but I think it's a beautiful way to help a family during a trying time. I contributed last year and it's a great feeling knowing I could help ease the pain for a family in need.
patmba 10/23/2016
Thank you so much Veronica40 for posting a review for us and for contributing. The families are so appreciative to receive the gift of a Memory Box to honor their Fallen Loved One.
A local woodworker hand makes beautiful momento boxes for families of fallen soldiers. THe love put and craftsmanship put into each box is proof of his respect for these individuals and their families. Sponsoring him helps support more boxes thus more families are honored.
patmba 10/23/2016
Thank you so much "Donor" for taking the time to write a review for us. Your support is so greatly appreciated!
Fallen Soldier Memorabilia Boxes Inc. helped us out with making a box for Engine Captain Dave Ruhl, Who was detailed as a Battalion Chief on the Modoc National Forest in California when he lost his life scouting the Frog Fire. I believe this was the first box made specifically for a Firefighter. They were great to work with and on our end it was a very easy process that was taken care of in good time.
patmba 10/21/2016
You are correct. This was the first Memory Box made for a Fallen Fire Fighter which was sponsored (payed for) by a group in Danville, California. A former classmate of David's who is now a Fire Inspector for the San Ramon Valley Fire District did a mini-fundraiser and made this happen. Our fundraising and nonprofit is for Fallen Soldiers KIA from the current Gulf wars, but we can make one for Fallen Soldiers from all wars, and Fallen Fire Fighters and Fallen Police Officers with a Sponsorship.
My son was killed in Iraq in 2006. I received a lot of notes and mementos concerning Dale. I wanted a place to put these and display them properly. Memory boxes built me a beautiful box which honors my son and a place to remember him. Very well done!
Regards,
Bill Brehm, proud Father of Army Ranger Sgt Dale Brehm, KIA, 3-18-2006, Iraq
patmba 10/21/2016
Bill, you were amongst one in the beginning of Memory Box Project. We are so happy for your kind words and thank you for your donation! We are so glad you have the right place now to store those precious notes and mementos in memory of your brave son Dale.
When I was notified of a box being made for my boy, I didn't know what to expect. When I received the box, I would have never thought such a box could be made. The detail is amazing...the craftsmanship is evident that the creator had taken time to ensure it was perfect. I felt the creator's hands and power of love for the recipient. The box is beyond words and any ability to depict exactly what the detail shows. Thanks to the entire team for caring enough to create such a memory for our family. God Bless!
patmba 10/21/2016
Thank you so much mikedela for posting for us. You are correct; a lot of love goes into the crafting of Memory Boxes. When we read "Tell me about your Fallen Soldier" on the Request form it is hard to hold back tears. The Gold Star families are so proud of their Fallen loved well and their bravery and commitment. We are too!
I am blessed to have been presented with a keepsake memory box which was handmade with honor and pride by Memory Box Project's David Bouillez in memory of my son, Sean Langevin, a Fallen Hero. Sean was killed on 9 Nov 2007. Until this memory box was made, I still had Sean's medals in the original boxes when they were presented to me at his funeral. I had been searching for so long for the perfect display to place these medals in. And I now have a special home for them. David Bouillez' passion in honoring our Fallen Heroes is expressed in the beautiful workmanship and labor of love and honor put into each memory box. Memories are all we have and this is such a special tribute to our Fallen Heroes.
patmba 10/21/2016
Thank you Roxane for posting for us. You are one of our greatest fans and we could not be more appreciative. David was honored to craft your Memory Box and we so appreciate all of the pictures you took and shared from the Walnut Creek Elks presentation that sponsored your Memory Box. We hope your memories of Sean will live on forever and Never Be Forgotten!
I am Blessed to have recieved 1 of these Incredible Memory Boxes in Honor of my Son LCpl Travis Layfield. I was in Awwwww when I recieved it, the craftmanship is exquisite. It has engraved our loved ones name, KIA date, which so Beautifully personalizes it. A certificate inside to authenticate , the heart, work and enormous amount of Love that is put into each and every one of these boxes, that Honor and Pay Tribute to our Fallen Heroes, that paid the Ultimate Sacrifice. It's absolutely a priceless gift, that I will forever Cherish.
patmba 10/21/2016
Diane you are so supportive to Memory Box Project. What you did with yours was breathtaking! You took so much time and patience to make it just how you wanted it using part of Travis's uniform to line the inside and lining up his medals. That was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Thank you so much for sharing that with us. We will continue to share your pictures of what you did as long as we continue to craft and build Memory Boxes. You are a very special GSM.
Memorabilia Box, Inc
Every Gold Star Family wants one of these Memorabilia Box. For us it wasn’t just a box received in the mail. How we received the box was just as amazing as the box itself.
Our family had put in a request for the box and it had been so long that we gave up on getting one. In fact, we pretty much had forgotten it. But the Memorabilia Box organization had not.
They called our city hall (Manteca, CA) asking if they set aside funds for such items. Our city does not. However, the city employee that took the call requested a little more time and she would call back. Well, the city employees gathered up enough money from everyone and purchased the box for us. We were presented the Memorabilia Box at a City Council meeting, with employees presenting us the box. Additionally, we were presented with a letter from the City Council and the employees of Manteca.
I know that this an example of how our city has always honored our son, but without them, we wouldn’t have our box.
What does that box mean to our family? We have it displayed in our home. Many things have come from that wooden box. It is in a place that visitors to our home can see easily. When they ask about it, we get to talk about our son and show them our most precious things left from our him. If you know anything about Gold Star Families, you know that the memory of our loved one matters a lot. However, something else happened that we didn’t even think about. We have 2 other children, Charles II, was their older brother.
Our other two children began to bring things to place in the box. Things that meant something about their relationship with their brother. Never crossed our mind this would happen. Memorabilia Box is now a family heirloom. Something that our other children have promised to treat it with as a piece of their brother. An heirloom, from our children, if that isn’t a WOW moment I don’t what would be.
The Memorabilia Box, Inc, has provided this family that has lost someone precious; a son, brother, husband, father, uncle, …; a place for all of us to remember our son, Cpl Charles O Palmer II, USMC, KIA 5 May 2007. Some families fall apart when there is a death in the family – especially when it happens so quickly. Not the Palmer Family as we have yet found another reason to honor Charles and his memories together.
Chuck and Teri Palmer, Gold Star Parents
patmba 10/21/2016
Chuck & Teri: Working on funding your Memory Box was such an incredible uplifting endeavor for me. As soon as I spoke with Lisa at the City Offices of Manteca, CA. she knew exactly who I was calling about. She gave me a thumbs up right away and said she would make this happen. Lisa organized it all and received donations from many City of Manteca employees to cover the cost. You are so admired and respected in your Town as is the sacrifice of your son Charles. We understand you meant to give us a 5 star rating but misinterpreted the 1 -5 and thought 1 was the highest. No worries we know your intentions and are just happy that you now have your special Memory Box and also we are so impressed with the project you are doing to send care packages to our Active Duty Soldiers overseas. http://www.Cpl Charles O. Palmer II MemorialTroopSupportProgram.
My nephew, Sgt Dillon Semolina, paid the ultimate sacrifice this past January in a training exercise off the coast of Oahu along with 11 of his brothers. There are no right words to describe the hole in all of our hearts over losing such an outstanding young man. He truly was the best of the best.
Dillon's parents and siblings are honoring his legacy by staying active in local veterans events and raising funds and awareness for veteran causes. Dillon would be so proud. At recent Tribute to the Troops event at their home I noticed this beautifully crafted memory box that stopped myself and others in their tracks. The craftsmanship and detail was breathtaking and I soon found myself gently rubbing my hand across the cover to take it all in. One got a sense of the care, love and appreciation that went into making this keepsake so special for Dillon's parents. A few days ago I was back visiting and noticed the box now had a prominent place in their living room. I touched the cover again and slowly opened it to see his dog tags and other items carefully placed inside. Deep sigh.
This beautiful gift of appreciation matters and I'm grateful you honored my family in such a profound way.
patmba 10/21/2016
Your words are so very kind and heartfelt. Your family deserved to be honored and we are happy we were able to do that. We remember when Dillion's parents contacted us directly by phone. They were adamant and our hearts went out to them. We were happy to be able to get this one sponsored right away. It was definitely crafted with love and sorrow for the loss of your family. Best to all of you and your loved one will never be forgotten.
I saw this nonprofit on the Gold Star Family page and sent a note to them about getting a box for my nephew, SPC Dennis M Williams, who was kia in Afghanistan in 2009. I wanted to give it to my sister to keep his letters in. When I received it, I was absolutely moved to tears. It is one of the most beautiful memory boxes that I have ever seen. I gave it to my sister at a family get together we had and she went completely still and quiet, then gave me the biggest hug ever. I can't thank you enough for the care and love you put into each box. You are one of ones who will never forget.
Julie Fleischer, proud aunt.
patmba 10/21/2016
Julie, what you did was so wonderful for your sister. Her keepsake box will be with her for a lifetime and passed down from generation to generation. Thank you so much for posting for us and for what you did. This is what makes what we do so gratifying.
I want to mention David and what he does for the families of the fallen soldiers. I was so moved when I was brought in to sponsor a couple of families to receive a Memory Box from David. These families receive so many items and really don't have anywhere to store them. The Memory Box Project help put some closure together by building a beautiful place to put those items. I was lucky enough to be with David as he delivered those boxes to the two families that I sponsored. The emotion that was in the room was amazing. Both families were so very thankful. David does all of this work himself and sacrifices his personal needs to keep supplying those families that need that special something. Incredible work David. You have a purpose!
patmba 10/21/2016
Chad, your words are heart warming and so true. We so appreciate what you did to help support Memory Box Project. You sponsored two Memory Boxes and the families were so grateful to receive them. David has found a purpose and his heart goes into each and every one. He has cried with families on the phone when he calls them to verify the information. I am very proud of what my Son is doing. Thank you Chad for posting for us and best of luck with your Real Estate business in Contra Costa County, California. Anyone could depend on your for those services!
I'm on the board of a non-profit organization. We raised money and randomly chose Fallen Soldier Memorabilia Box because of the amazing work they do and the beautiful boxes they create. This organization has healed so many military families through their boxes and touched so many lives...including mine. They are so inspiring! Hands down, they are my favorite non-profit organization.
Fallen Soldier Memorabilia Boxes are a wonderful gift provided to the family of one of our fallen soldiers who has given their Life for our Liberty!! What better way to express our appreciation to our BOYS! The boxes are beautifully handcrafted and such a wonderful memorial to the family. I encourage you to take the time to read about Fallen Soldier Memorabilia Boxes on their website or Facebook page and to consider a donation to this wonderful non-profit organization.
My family was blessed to have received a memory box from this organization to honor my late husband, Captain Alan Rowe. He was killed in Iraq in 2004, and this organization was generous enough to provide us with this wonderful keep-sake to help keep his memory alive, and also to help us all remember his service and sacrifice. The craftsmanship is like nothing I have seen, and it's a special place where we keep items that were near and dear to him.
This organization is fantastic, and I hope you will support them however you can!
patmba 10/21/2016
Thank you so much for the kind words and support from the family of Sgt Dillon Semolina. . We are so saddened for your loss and are happy you have a special place now to store Dillon's metals and honors.