Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Vrooman

July 15, 2008

Freedom Quilts Heroes

Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Vrooman, 28, of Sioux Falls, S.D., died Jul 15 2008 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated while his unit was conducting combat operations in Kn’an, Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Vilseck, Germany.

This quilt was made by Freedom Quilts for his family in honor of Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Vrooman.

Letter from Bruce & Sue Vrooman

Dearest Betty –

THANK YOU SO MUCH for the beautiful quilt! My goodness! It’s the most gorgeous one we’ve received! We just love the detail work on it, with the pictures, the Army logo, the sunglasses (that’s a hoot!), everything!!!!!!! Wow – you did a GREAT job on it! Thank you so much! We have a quilt display case that it’s going in. The front is glass, and that’s where this one is going. This way everyone who enters our home will see it right away.

We will get our neighbor to take a picture, and we’ll get that sent to you soon. What a wonderful memorial tribute to Jeremy! Oh, and the shirt! I almost forgot the shirt! That was one that Bruce got, but now I can’t remember if he got it here in the U.S. or Germany. I’m thinking Germany. Those memories we have of our trip there to visit Jeremy and family are precious. Jeremy was so proud to show Germany off to us! He loved that country very much. And my (Sue’s) ancestors are from there, so it’s interesting to me too.

Thank you so much, I can’t say that enough! The quilt is absolutely beautiful. You really know how to personalize them. It says Jeremy!

Bruce & Sue Vrooman
PROUD Gold Star Parents of U.S. Army SSG Jeremy D. Vrooman,
KIA 7/15/08, Kn’an, Iraq
Operation Iraqi Freedom
4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany