MERNA, Neb. – The professional and personal life of Merna native Craig Downey has taken him all over the earth. It only seemed fitting that those he calls family, friends, and classmates came together from locations near and far to see him be presented with a Quilt of Valor (QOV) this past weekend.
Downey had his QOV placed around his shoulders in Omaha alongside his son Cade and daughter Lydia. His son Casey, a Senior Airman in the Air Force in Little Rock, was among those who joined a virtual Zoom call. Several of Downey’s family members, classmates, and admirers joined in the heart of the Anselmo-Merna school where he graduated in 1990 for what would be an emotional presentation.
Teri Buhlmann read a piece about QOV and their significance before the presentation.
“We believe that as we sew, the love, caring, and gratitude flows from our hearts and through our hands into the developing quilt. We, as quilters, want our veterans to know that through our quilts they will be forever in our hearts,” read Buhlmann.
Fellow veteran Jim Spanel was in Merna to present Downey with a Challenge Coin in addition to the quilt.
“When my sister told me about the Quilts of Valor presentation to Craig, I knew it was something I needed to attend. It is a military tradition for veterans to give another veteran a Challenge Coin to honor their service. Craig was deserving of the Quilt of Valor and it was an honor to give him a coin,” said Spanel.
The back of the coin read “Honoring all who served. A veteran is someone who wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for an amount of ‘up to and including their life’.”
In addition to graduating from Creighton University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Atmospheric Sciences, Downey added to his education at Air University with the United States Air Force, the United States Army Intelligence Center, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers to name a few.
With a career of service eclipsing 25 years in the public and private sector, Downey worked and served with the US Forest Service as a team leader, the Civilian Expeditionary Workforce as an Environmental Program Manager, Department of the Army and Air Force as a Program Manager, Northern Natural Gas Company as an Engineering Project Manager, and the United States Air Force as a Staff Weather Officer.
Downey has received several awards during his career including the Superior Civilian Service Award, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Non-Article 5 Medal for Service, the Joint Civilian Service Commendation and Achievement Awards, and the Outstanding Senior Civilian of the 3rd Quarter 2014.
Craig’s love of music hasn’t been slowed by ALS. From Omaha where he is receiving care his texts of music collaboration ideas come as fast as ever to his brother Tim, a fellow music lover. The two have put their heads together on numerous songs from a distance, telling of memories from childhood to present day, first loves to county fairs.
During a visit to the KCNI/KBBN Get Up & Go Breakfast Show, Tim repeatedly pointed to the special connection that he has built with his brother, who he and many others affectionately call ‘Skid’. The two are in almost constant contact regarding lyrics, rhythm, and tone utilizing the power of AI to put a voice to lyrics. Recently, the two partnered with their nephew Jeff to put the finishing touches on a couple verses of lyrics he wrote while deployed in Afghanistan.
The claps and tears on Saturday from those who call Craig their dad, brother, uncle, friend, colleague, and fellow veteran confirmed what everybody already knew: a very deserving man was receiving that Quilt of Valor.
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To hear Tim’s songs, including those collaborated on with Craig, click here.
Read more details about Craig’s experience, education, and recognitions below.
