SHENANDOAH, Iowa — To some who don't know any better, it's just a granite bench sitting outside Shenandoah's National Guard Armory.
But to the members of the Iowa Army National Guard 1-168th Battalion and members of the Farragut Class of 1998, it's a way to keep alive the memory of their friend Sgt. Brent Maher.
"It's something that everybody gets to look at when they come into the armory. It helps everybody remember the sacrifices we made as a unit," said Todd Smiley, 1-168th supply sergeant, assigned to the Shenandoah Armory.
Mark Miller had suggested a bench immortalizing his classmate and friend. Donations and proceeds from a softball tournament helped make it a reality.
Miller then asked members of the 1-168th for suggestions on what to etch on the bench, on which the Red Bull and 1-168th crest were added.
"The bench is a constant reminder of what he gave up for this country — the huge sacrifice he made," said National Guard recruiter Chris Cook. "We'll never forget, that's for sure."
An additional granite bench is to be placed at the Farragut High School, Maher's alma mater.
Miller said he'd also like to get a memorial scholarship started — a $500 annual scholarship for a Farragut graduate and a $500 annual scholarship for a Shenandoah graduate.
"He graduated from Farragut, but he wrestled in Shenandoah and was stationed in Shenandoah with the Guard," Miller explained.
Donations for the scholarships can be made at a First Heritage Bank in Farragut or Shenandoah to the Brent Maher Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Maher, 31, died April 11, 2011, when an improvised explosive device blew up the vehicle in which he was riding in Afghanistan, where he served with the 1-168th.
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.
