Balfour Fireworks Raises Nearly $3500 For Families of The Fallen

Cars honk as they drive past the staple on the hill, Balfour's Firework Stand; a local hot spot of 55 years for those seeking only the best for their firework displays, Bob Balfour Sr. waves at the passersby and proudly welcomes all who step foot on his driveway. If you've ever made the trip to Balfour's during the first week of July, you know not only fireworks await you, but Bob Sr.'s spectacular sense of humor as well, offering a few "freebies," and if you're lucky, maybe a joke too.

Surrounding Bob Sr. each year is his family, a three-generation operation acting as a primary source of fireworks for Sidney and the surrounding areas over the past five decades, but this is not their proudest achievement. Behind those friendly faces stands over 200 combined years of service dedicated to our Armed Services, from Bob Sr. to his children and grandchildren, the family has dedicated over two centuries to protecting people worldwide.

"We currently have two grandchildren deployed. Both in the Middle East, one currently in Jordan and the other in Kuwait," son Bob Jr. states. "We've been fortunate," son Brian commented on their family's returning servicemen and women.

Not all families are as lucky. The Balfour family honors fallen soldiers by donating back each year to the organization, Folds of Honor. "It's great being able to support Folds of Honor. Being a veteran myself and having family presently serving, we're honored to be able to give back to such a cause," Bob Sr. says with a smile.

Started by an Iraq War Veteran in 2007, Folds of Honor began with Lt. Col Dan Rooney's flight home from his second tour of duty in Iraq. An F-16 fighter pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, he became painfully aware of the realities families face when a loved one in uniform has fallen or become disabled. As his flight landed, the pilot announced they carried the remains of Corporal Brock Bucklin on board. Lt Col Rooney watched as Corporal Bucklin's twin brother walked somberly alongside the flag-covered casket to meet his family on the tarmac. Among them was the deceased Corporal's young son, Jacob," relays foldsofhonor.org, "Since that night, Lt Col Rooney has committed his life to rallying patriotic Americans and meeting sacrifice with hope through the Folds of Honor. Since 2007, we've provided life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America's fallen or disabled military. And now, our mission expands to the families of America's first responders. On our watch, those who protect our freedoms and our families will know they are not forgotten."

Over 52,000 recipients have been awarded scholarships since the inception. "We the people have found what unites us. It's our honor to empower people from every walk of life through education and the opportunities it creates. Forty-five percent of Folds of Honor scholarships are awarded to minorities, making our recipient family as diverse as the country we call home," quotes the organization. When questioning the symbol of Folds of Honor, "In the folded flag we see the heavy price of freedom. Yet it's also a symbol of hope, representing the enduring ideals that make this country a beacon of democracy. We chose this logo because it reflects our mission – to honor the sacrifice of America's heroes while giving hope to the bearers of their legacy."

The impact of lasting patriotism and legacy strikes heavily at the hearts of the Balfours, "I get choked up about it," Bob Jr. mentions with tears filling his eyes, "I've known guys who have made it back and some who never returned home again. With 27 years in the service and 11 years at the Veteran's Home, I've seen all sides of the coin. It is good to give back to those who deserve it."

The sentiment extends into the Balfour family, "With both my children being in the military it's a way of giving back and thanking other military families," Martha Gibbs, Bob Sr.'s daughter says, "Currently my son is deployed, if anything were to happen to him, it's nice to know they'd have this option for their family."

July 4th serves as not only a reminder of our freedoms but also of those who are no longer with us having given their lives in defense of those freedoms.

The matriarch of Balfour Fireworks, Carrie Balfour went home to her "big cabin in the sky" in March of this year, leaving behind a colorful and collective history. "It's so different without her here, something's missing," Ross Balfour mentions, "Even something just as simple as passing over the money at the end, she's here but she's not." As a way of commemorating Carrie, the Balfours marked the fireworks that were her personal favorites with a special purple heart. "Mom's favorite color was purple and the heart signifies love," Ross adds, "Each is placed on one of her favorite fireworks."

The Balfour children grew up knowing the importance of family, and the connection of fireworks, "I remember kids coming up to us and dropping handfuls of change asking how many fireworks and smoking cap sticks they could buy," Balfour Jr. chuckled. "Back then our most expensive firework was just $1.50." He added, "Back then if we made $100 in a day we thought that was a real fortune." When questioning other Balfours on their first firework memories, "I was just four when Mom and Dad started selling, I remember pulling down the shed to the bowling alley parking lot so we could be in city limits and then dragging it back up the driveway when the Fourth was over," Gibbs laughs as Ross shares the same first memory. What Brian describes as an informal family gathering each year, the firework season is a sentimental time for the Balfours, "Mom and Dad loved all of us kids being here together, I've always told Dad as long as he has the firework stand I'll make the 16-hour drive from San Antonio, Texas," Ross says.

With another successful Independence Day in the rearview mirror, the Balfour's have much to be grateful for, "We want to take the time to thank Sidney and the surrounding communities for their resounding love and support," Mary Balfour comments.

A total of $3,494 was raised to donate to Folds of Honor this year, "We have had a very successful season and we thank every person who came by, Dad really enjoyed seeing all the visitors," Ross comments.

If interested in making a personal donation to Folds of Honor, you may do so on the official website at http://www.foldsofhonor.org or by calling them directly at: (918)-274-4700.

If you would like to purchase a Carrie Balfour "Firework Angel" memorial t-shirt, contact Jessica Hewett or the Balfour family at (308)-254-5666.

Author Bio

Kelsey Arrington, Staff Reporter

Cheyenne County native, local business owner.