A
family thanks its community
The Townsends, the Beaumonts and our extended family gathered together in the
beautiful Santa Ynez Valley during the last week of January to lay to rest our
beloved Staff Sgt. Joshua R. Townsend, who died in Afghanistan on January 16.
The story of his life, achievements and untimely death were widely reported in
local and national news during the latter part of last month.
The purpose of this letter is to
acknowledge and thank the entire community of the Santa Ynez Valley who
expressed, in ways both large and small, outpourings of love and generosity
that were truly staggering to those of us who witnessed them. To be the
beneficiaries of such kindness and support is truly amazing. There are so many
individuals and organizations we would like to thank!
In the days that immediately
followed Joshua’s death, phone calls, emails, cards and letters began to pour
in. Friends called to pay their respects with many tears, hugs, flowers and
food. The offers of assistance and ways to contribute increased. Family,
friends and Joshua’s Green Beret team began making plans to travel long
distances to attend the services. Our amazing community rallied to offer
lodging, meals, transportation and many more heartfelt acts of kindness.
On Wednesday, Jan. 28, when Joshua’s
body arrived in Santa Barbara, the plane was met by family, friends, members of
the military and Joshua’s Special Forces Team. There was even a water canon
salute from the Santa Barbara City Fire Department along with nearly 100
motorcyclists standing by to escort Joshua home to his final resting place. The
motorcade was accompanied by members of the Patriot Guard Riders, the American
Legion Riders 534, and officers of the California Highway Patrol.
When the lengthy line of vehicles
approached the Santa Ynez Valley, we were stunned to see people waiting for the
motorcade. Cars and trucks were pulled over to the side of the road, and many
people were standing at attention, with hands over their hearts or they waved
the American flag. All the way into Ballard, the streets were lined with people
who waited to pay tribute to Joshua, who had grown up and lived most of his
life in this valley. Every flag flew at half mast, and even traffic signs
carried messages of thanks for Joshua and his service to our country.
An estimated 1,500 people gathered
to celebrate Joshua’s life on Friday, Jan. 30 at the Presbyterian Church of the
Santa Ynez Valley. After the services, Joshua’s motorcade was again greeted by
throngs of people lining the streets on the way to the Chalk Hill Cemetery. We
will never forget the children of the Bethania
Lutheran Day Care who lined up to greet us and waved flags in their tiny hands
as we passed.
The day culminated in a wonderful
reception at the Solvang Veteran’s Memorial Hall where Joshua’s family and
friends joined to eat, reflect on and celebrate Joshua’s life. Many
organizations and volunteers participated in the coordination of events that
took place on that afternoon. We are very grateful for the donation of the
venue, food, drink and all the volunteers who worked many tireless hours to
feed all who attended.
Knowing full well that this list is
incomplete, we would like to offer our deepest gratitude and appreciation to
the following list of individuals, organizations and companies who gave so
generously:
• To the Santa Ynez
Band of Chumash Indians: Our heartfelt thanks to them for their incredible
caring and generosity during this difficult time.
• The Vikings of
Solvang and the Vikings BBQ Crew: Thank you for the many wonderful meals you
prepared for family, friends, and Josh’s Green Beret team. The memorial event
could not have been the event it was without the many hours volunteered by the
Vikings and their spouses. Thank you in particular to Chief Viking, Doug Riedy, and his tireless efforts during this time.
• To Bob and Dave
Young of Young Construction: Thank you for your generosity in providing vans
and meals for Josh’s team members during their stay. A
special thank you for your care, understanding and years of friendship.
• To Will and Roberta
McCoy: Thanks for opening your beautiful home for a gathering of family, friends
and the entire Green Beret team. Thank you to Doug Riedy
and Glen Jacobsen for the delicious BBQ at this event.
• A special thanks to
the Santa Ynez Valley Elks Lodge for your support at the memorial dinner. In
particular, we thank Pat Sadecki and his team of
volunteers.
• To Mission Linen: We
thank you for your generosity at the memorial event. A special thank you to
Maynard Bentley who’s quick response to our needs at the Memorial Hall is
greatly appreciated.
• We thank the City of
Solvang Parks and Recreation Department, in particular the City of Solvang for
providing the use of the Veteran’s Memorial Hall.
• Our heartfelt thanks
the men on the Watch List, those who volunteered to stay with Joshua in an
around-the-clock vigil at the Loper Chapel until his
burial. In particular we wish to thank Sgt. Major Jeff McKeone,
Col. Bruce Porter, and Dave Jamieson for all of their behind- the-scene efforts
throughout this time.
• Palmer Creative
Productions: We offer a special thank
you to Ian and his incredible technical talent, which brought Josh’s spirit
alive during the service and memorial event.
• To Steve Sawin: We are most appreciative to your Limousine Company
and team of drivers. Thank you so much!
• Our thanks to El
Rancho Market & Nielsen’s Market for their generosity during this time.
• To the Hadsten House and the Buellton Marriott: Thank you for
housing some of our family and friends!
• Thank you to Bryan
Petersen for your role in creating the T-shirts to be worn by all of those who
love Joshua. Thank you so much, Bryan!
• To the Hoag Cancer
Center of Newport Beach, we thank you for your generous gift to Josh’s wife. A
special thank you to you Robin!
• A special thank you
to Kelli Sorensen for organizing all those who provided the many desserts at
the memorial.
• To the Presbyterian
Church of the Santa Ynez Valley: Our special thanks to Rev. Jeffrey Bridgeman
• The long list of
establishments, wineries and individuals for providing wine at the memorial
event deserve our special thanks: Carhart Vineyard,
The Red Barn, Brander, Bridlewood, Buttonwood, Casa Cassara, Curtis & Jarhead, Daniel Gehrs,
Kalyra, Lion’s Peak, Longoria, Qupe,
Rusack and Lisa & Keaue
Kekuewa. Thank you so much!
• Loper
Funeral Chapel: Thank you for being one step ahead of us the entire way.
Everything you did for Joshua was seamless.
• To Mark Terry: Thank
you for your writing skills and your inspirational rendition of “Danny Boy” at
the service will never be forgotten.
• Michael Benton: We
thank you for your talent and skill with the bag-pipes at Josh’s service . We are forever grateful.
• Thank you Ken &
Debbie Daly, Jan Glick & Greg Weil and Jim Vizzolini
for your extended care and generosity to our families during this difficult
time.
• Thank you to Nora
Wallace of the Santa Barbara News Press and Leah Etling of the Santa Ynez
Valley Journal for your heartfelt and respectful prose.
• Our many thanks to Kalitta Charters, the Patriot Guard Riders, the American
Legion Riders 534, the Santa Barbara City Fire Department, the Solvang
Sherriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol for their incredible
efforts in getting Josh home safely.
• And finally, our
gratitude and appreciation to those of you who provided us with meals, cards
and love during this most difficult time.
So many people came together
donating time and resources. We were nurtured and supported by the outpouring
of love, sympathy and respect that helped sustain us
through these difficult days. Our continued gratitude to the brave men and
women who serve in our United States Military, and to the amazing Green Berets
of 7133, Joshua’s team. He loved them all as brothers.
It is an unbelievable community in
which we live. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.
The family of Staff Sgt.
Joshua R. Townsend
God
bless this valley
I had the distinct honor to serve as
pastor to the Townsend family in the recent services for Sgt. Joshua Townsend.
It is always a tender privilege to be included in a family’s grief, but in this
case it extended beyond them to the grief of the Santa Ynez Valley and a very
special community of the United States Army.
I was deeply impressed with how
these grieving folks were embraced and loved by so many. To address the 800 or
more of you who came to the service at the church, and to ride in that
motorcade seeing individuals standing at attention out of respect for Josh and
his family, some with hands over their hearts while children waved flags along
the route, and at every intersection sheriff’s deputies blocking traffic while
saluting this fallen soldier, it was more moving than words can express. Thank
you. I want to thank you all for your kind hearts and moving tributes. To the
local law enforcement teams, your understanding of what was needed and your
willingness to provide it was outstanding!
To my fellow valley residents, you
have no idea how much you touched the hearts of some very stoic Green Berets.
From Josh’s team to Gen. Repass, the commander of all
Special Forces, to Chaplain Rose, with whom I worked closely. To a man they
were all overwhelmed with your courtesy, your generosity and your respect. It
wasn’t what they’ve come to expect, and that made their time among you all the
more impressive.
I would also like to salute the men
and women of the local VFW and American Legion, plus the Patriot Riders, for
the special honor you each bestowed on this young man and his wife and family.
You know the journey far better than most of us, so your presence spoke
volumes. Thank you.
And thank you to the Vikings for the
amazing gift you gave with the reception you prepared and hosted. Truly the
heart of this community was on display at its best. Believe me, it was duly
noted.
People often say what a special
place the valley is, and at times it comes across as arrogant or proud. Not so
this time, for your efforts made this community more than special with a humble
heart and a generous outpouring of honor and respect for those who deserved it
the most. God bless you all.
Jeff Bridgeman, Pastor
Santa Ynez Valley
Presbyterian Church