Family Area

This site is set up to honor the families of the fallen heroes of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom with a custom designed and hand-crafted wooden portrait of their loved one. Our goal is make a portrait for each family. If you are a family member or know how to reach a family we would like you to contact us so we may make arrangements to cut and deliver one to you.

The portraits are meant for direct family members, such as Fathers, Mothers, Wives, Husbands, etc. Due to the size of the project only one framed and one ready to be framed by the family will be made and given freely to the family members of a soldier. Family contact information is kept confidential and will be deleted and destroyed after the project is complete. To send for a wooden portrait contact PortraitFreedom@hotmail.com with the information requested above. Please do not email us until you have read this area first.

((click here))

This is a non-profit project. It's just our way to honor the heroic service members for paying the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

A few pictures may be used for tutorial purposes for the craft of scrolling or for site graphics to depict what we do. Its hard to describe our craft without a picture of it.

Feedback for the project members

If you would like to leave feedback to the members of this project we would love to hear from you.

Family message to the group

From Robert and Linda Baloga, parents of Michael Baloga

Mr. and Mrs. Baloga wrote:

We did receive the two etchings of our son Michael undamaged. What a wonderful honor you and Mr. Crawford are doing for our fallen heros. When we opened the box and unwrapped the portrait of our son, my wife and I wept. We did not only because of our loss but the honor and love you both show through this everlasting tribute to Michael and as you must be doing for everyone you undertake and complete.

We thank you so very much for this gift and they will remain in the Baloga family for generations. We will be letting all of our family and Michaels friends know about the gift from you, Mr. Crawford and the "Portrait Freedom" project.

We can't thank you enough for this honor you both have bestowed on Michael and his family.

With deepest regards for you and Mr. Crawford, we remain always the proud yet painful parents of a fallen hero.

I am sorry for this very late posting. Bill

A reply to Bampa

Attachments:

thank-you-mrs-Rollins.jpg

From Sue Reynolds--Ross Parson's mom

I got the picture of Ross and it is absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!!! It was so lifelike I cried ( good tears) and got goose bumps when I saw how well they captured that grin of his.

I am writing Mr Kustic a thank you note and would like to write the designer a thank you letter also. Bob Crawford is his name.

You know what is so weird....... Mr Kustic is in Ohio, my son Ross was born in Dayton Ohio, raised in Ohio and lived there until he left for the military and he is buried in Ohio at the Dayton National Cemetery on the VA grounds.

I am so thankful that there are people who do such wonderful things for people. This means so much to me and I will make sure that the picture goes to my son's little boy, Matthew Edward Parsons to remember his Daddy .

Thank you again so very much.

V/r,
Sue Reynolds

Gold Star Mother of SSgt Ross E Parsons 22 May 2008
Blue Star Mother of CW2 Randall A Parsons

From William (aka Andy) Long's father

George,

Thank you very much for the beautiful works of art. We were down to Andy's grave site today. I feel drawn to it often and need to go there for some quiet time with him even though I know he is in a much better place. We miss him terribly.Your labor of love is evident as it catches Andy at his best, with his grin. You never knew whether he knew something you didn't or was just enjoying something you missed. Thank you so very much, they will be put in a special place and be prominently displayed. My other son, Andy's little brother Triston just arrived in and I was able to speak to him this morning. Your wonderful gift has considerably improved this day. Again, thank you for your wonderful gift.

Sincerely Daris Long

From Michael Yates' family

I wanted to let you know that we received the wooden portraits of Mike in perfect condition. Wow! They are amazing, Thank You so much!

I am anxious to share them with Mike's Mom this Thursday when we meet for her to sit with Kamren.

My daughter is thrilled and I know that one day when Kamren is old enough to understand the entire story he will cherish it.

Thanks again, God Bless You,

Beverlee Mister

From Leonard Wahl--Gregory's father

The package arrived today safe. I will be keep one for myself and the other send to gregory's daughter Alexis back home in New York. Today was special as its Gregory's birthday. Couldn't be with him as I am in Herington, Kansas. Helping a young soldier families while he is in Iraq. Remodeling his house room by room. Which with lack of funds.. I depend on contractors in the area. That when it complete a job. I can get what is not use. Jack thank you...you do so much for our fallen and the gold star families. PGR play a key role welcoming home our fallen. I have deal with PGR from New York, West Virginia, Tennessee and Texas.So my heart and prays are with all the PGR to be safe on every misssion. Thanks again!

From family of WO1 Judson E. Mount

Hi this is Joyce Mount in Franklin Tennesse. My son, WO1 Judson E. Mount died from injurys in the Gulf War April 7, 2009. He was in a "Blast " in convoy near Bagdad , Iraq. So in my ARmy packett was about the Scroll Saw Portraits. I instantly was interested in getting one for me and for Jud's brother. I lost a daughter too so Joey is the only child left. It would mean so much to us. Well, Yesterday I got the protrait. I am blown away !! WOW !! It is so amazing. Love it , love it so much. Beautiful, and so like Jud. It is the first I have seen like this. Just so wonderful and such good likeness. Thank you so ver y much from the core of my being, bottom of my heart for this portrait I will cherish forever and Joey will too. The designer was Bob Crawford and Cutter, Jack Kenkel. I went to thank them on this site and got the customer service. Please Please forward this to the web site so all will know how much I so appreciate the protrait and the super great work the guys did to make it. It is such an honor to remember Jud in this way and add him to your list of "Fallen Soldiers" . I am a GOLD STAR Mom forever, I am so proud of my Hero Jud, but also am so grateful to the ones who take their own time and do this for all of us. My heartfelt thanks over and over . These are wonderful volunteers too , The Patriot Guard Riders. The escorted us from the airport when we received Juds body there and to the Funeral Home. Then they came and stood outside Funeral Home to protect us and held American flags thru out the who service. Even when it rained , they stood tight at their post, if you will.Never have I seen such devotion to the cause they stand for. For the Fallen Soldiers and their familys . Jud would be so glad about them being there, since he had requested them if ever needed for him. The time came and ya'll came. !! GOd bless you each and all so very much. It is a wonderful think you do for your Country as we must not forget the Fallen Soldier and the Wounded Warriors too. thank you so so very much . Forever grateful Mom.............Joyce Mount

Letter from PFC Andrew Habsieger's mother.

We received our portraits on Saturday. I was amazed. You have captured my son's sweet face. I cried, and I could not put it down. Thank you so very much. I wanted to share a little of Andy with you. Andy had to fight to joind the service. He tried the marines and was denied because of a history of migranes when he was younger. He went on a mission. He wrote letters to higher up military personel, Generals, etc, Congressmen, Senators, anyone he could get an aderss for. He had his Dr. write letters, his coaches, teachers and friends. He had to wait 2 years and no migranes- then he joined the army. His older brother will keep the other portrait. Jake is 17 months older and was stationed in Germany - he too was infantry. He has done one tour of Iraq and was on his way over for his second tour when Andy was killed. They would have been stationed very close and had not seen each other since July '07 when Andy was best man at Jake's wedding. Jake escorted Andy home - it was a pact they had made. If something happened to one of them the other one would bring him home. I am so very proud of my sons as you can tell. So many people, groups and organizations have been so kind. I can't thank you enough. Please let all involved know how very grateful my family is for what you do. We have met with several families of KIA's and these gestures of kindness are so appreciated.

Thank you again
God Bless!
Brenda Habseiger
proud mother of
P.F.C Andrew Habsieger

A message from the parents of "Lcpl Geoff Fisher"

My husband and I would like to thank you so much for the portrait that we had received of our son LCpl Geoff Fisher. My husband Carl knew that it was being made and being sent, but he didn't tell me. Then he came to my job one day and handed me something, it was the portrait of Geoff. When I saw it I just broke down and started crying. It was so beautiful and so real looking. I just held it and cried. We have showed it to everyone. George Bethke did a wonderful job. I will cherish this portrait for as long as I live. From this Gold Star Parents heart. Thank you so much.

Carl and Rena Abbott

Thank you from Daniel Fuentes

I was home when we rec'd the package, OMG speechless, beautiful and very emotional. I couldn't believe the detailed on the wood. It's my baby.....love it .....I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I placed the wood picture frame in the displayed unit with all of his metals, dog tag and items that were given to us...

God Bless You All, for your support (Never Forgotten)

Fuentes Family

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Family Area

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2009-05-06

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