Edward Balli Memorial

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Edward Balli and unmanned ariel vehicle operator was on his fourth combat deployment when  he was killed in Afghanistan after insurgents detonated a makeshift bomb and opened fire on sleeping troops on January 20th.  Edward and another soldier provided covering fire so that junior troops would have time to take civilians in the area to safety.  Balli knew they were likely headed into a situation in which they would not return, but the Warrant officer considered his duty to ensure his troops safety. 
Edward was laid to rest with full military honors in the National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific in Hawaii.  We would like to raise money to help fund a public memorial service and a permanent memorial site in his hometown of Salinas, California.  Any excess funds will be donated to the Veterans Transition Center in Seaside, California.