A woman from Arlington, Wash., presented the spouse of fallen Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Patrick Wade with
a cross-stitch portrait of Wade at Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11, March 6.
Marilyn Dahl, who had never met Wade or his wife, Keri, spent approximately 1.5 to two hours a day on the project from mid-September
of last year to late February after being inspired by seeing his portrait in the newspaper after his death, July 17, 2007. Wade was killed
during combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Salah Ad Din Province, Iraq.
Dahl has done needle work since the sixth grade. She used approximately 100 different color threads for the project.
“I love red, white, and blue. When I saw his picture I thought it would make a nice cross stitch project. They’re just such neat pictures with
the military motif,” said Dahl. “I’m just hoping she (Keri Wade) will really appreciate it and it will be meaningful to her.”
Wade is continually appreciative of knowing that there are people who honor the sacrifice given by her husband and others.
“It’s incredible because you really see how important our service members are to our country. I’ve had several experiences like this; I’ve had
charcoal drawings and engravings in stone done of him. It’s just heartwarming every so often to get something that lets you know people
are still thinking about your service member and that it wasn’t all for nothing,” said Wade. “I am so impressed and awed by her dedication,
I think it’s just incredible. My husband was a very motivated, dedicated person and when he set his mind to a goal he did everything that he
could to accomplish it and I think he’d be very touched.”
Wade has two daughters, Noelle, who is three-and-a-half, and Esne, who’s eighteen months, and she is glad to have something to share his
legacy with them.
“I really look forward to showing them all this stuff when they’re old enough to talk about it and to see what an impact their father had on his
country and the citizens,” said Wade.
Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Murphy, EODMU-11 executive officer, feels that contributions like this make the whole command really feel that what they
are doing doesn’t go unnoticed and is recognized by the community.
“It feels good that someone out in town was touched by the story and wanted show support for Mobile Unit 11 and do something nice for
Keri,” said Murphy. “I’m just grateful for little gestures like this and them showing appreciation. It really lets the warriors here at the command
know that the things that they’re doing overseas are appreciated.”