ELM SPRINGS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — In 2010, a local veteran by the name of ‘Bo’ found himself on the road with a mission in mind: to make an impact in the lives of disabled veterans.
Bo spent 12 years in the United States Army, faithfully serving the country in the Iraq war and as a member of the 101st Airborne Division. When he returned home to Northwest Arkansas, Bo found himself living in Gentry with his wife, Lori.
It was Easter weekend when the two were on their way to help raise money for disabled veterans. Jannie Layne, Bo’s mother, described Easter weekend as a time of consistent joy and excitement for the family.
“Easter was always one of my favorite times of the year. We all came together as a family, and I cooked a big meal, and we went to church together. Bo always was the Easter Bunny at church, and he was six foot two. And, he wore this Easter Bunny costume and carried a plastic carrot. And just, it was fun,” Layne said.
Yet suddenly, excitement for the upcoming holiday quickly became a tragedy when Bo’s mission came to a halt on April 3, 2010, when both Bo and Lori were involved in a fiery motorcycle accident that instantly claimed their lives.
Jannie still recalls the moment she received the call that would change her life forever.
“Lori’s stepmother called me and said, ‘I guess you heard, Bo and Lori were killed.’ I didn’t know, and I started screaming,” Layne said.
The news brought both Jannie and her now late husband to their knees, pleading with God.
“I can remember being curled up in the fetal position, wailing. It’s a guttural sound that I hope you never have to hear, and you never have to experience,” Layne said. “My husband fell on his knees and face down on the floor and asked God to take this burden off. Take it off of Bo and give it to him. He offered his life for Bo’s.”
Layne says the outcome of the accident was something she struggled to accept, leaving her feeling empty and without purpose.
“We didn’t even function for a year. Afterwards, we found unpaid bills. I don’t know how we kept our businesses running because we were so in the depths of grief. My husband at the time was diagnosed with brain cancer. He died 11 months after Bo and Lori were killed. So, I had all this grief,” Layne said. “All of the joy, I’m a woman of faith, and all of my Godly joy left my soul, and I honestly understand how people die in the moment.”
Yet three years later, Layne says a whisper from the same God she pled with to save her son, gave her a sense of direction.
“I was surviving but not living, and I didn’t know what to do with my grief. You hear people say, ‘God talked to me,’ Well, he does if you listen. You can hear. And it was something put on my heart that in order to move past my grief, I needed to help others,” said Layne. “So, you take yourself out of yourself, and you help other people. Then you get to tell his story. I think of him every day.”
Inspiring Layne to create ‘Bo’s Blessings, LUTHAB’ in honor of her son, an organization that helps and supports Northwest Arkansas veterans in various ways, like purchasing groceries, or even organizing funerals for service members who may have otherwise been forgotten.
One of the veterans impacted by Jannie Layne and Bo’s Blessings, is Bill Eilers, an Army veteran who recently moved to Northwest Arkansas from Minneapolis.
“Back in 1976, I found the calling. I was only 17 years old, and I enlisted. There are people that have done much more heroic things. I just was one of many that raised my hand and said, ‘I’ll serve’
Eilers says he found himself struggling with his physical health when he moved to the area.
“I had an open-heart surgery that went bad, and I had a quintuple bypass. And, four of the five bypass grafts went down. I had about eight surgeries afterwards. I have about 19 or 20 stents placed in me, and then my eyesight failed. I went blind in one eye, and the other one’s going. I’m also losing my hearing,” Eilers said.
Subsequently, Eiler’s mental health began to decline as well, but that’s when Jannie Layne and Bo’s Blessings found him and witnessed the pain that he was going through.
“I just wanted to crawl under a rock and die. So, it was truly a godsend to have somebody just see me for my hurting, and I feel so blessed to have had her put her eyes on me and say, ‘Hey, life’s not over. It’s not over till it’s over,'” Eilers said.
Bo’s Blessings has since given Eilers a sense of belonging, allowing him to find peace and support, even in his creative outlets.
“I’ve started writing some of my own songs and what I like to write about is either my own experiences or what’s in my heart, and what’s in my heart is when I see heroes like Bo and other people who have gone off to war. And, they’ve given their lives for our freedom. I think it’s really important that we remember that it’s a privilege to be in this country,” said Eilers.
Although Eilers still has to work to afford his medical bills, he’s hopeful to retire soon and become a larger part of the Bo’s Blessings team to help other veterans just like him.
Now, even fourteen years later, Jannie Layne says the stories of lives being changed thanks to Bo’s legacy are what keep her going each day.
“There are hard days. There are very hard days. And I call it my season of grief,” Layne said.
Yet it’s also her faith and Bo’s presence that are still alive and well in the organization.
“I always wondered if he lived long enough to recognize how much I loved him. And I feel like he did,” Layne said.
When asked what she would say to Bo if he were still here today, Jannie Layne’s response was simple, like that of a fiercely loving mother.
“I love you. I love you so much. I’m so proud of the man you grew up to be. I am so thankful that I know where you are and that you lived a life for God. Thank you for that,” Layne said.
Bo’s Blessings provides various service opportunities throughout the year. On Nov. 16, a headstone cleaning will take place at the Fayetteville National Cemetery. Additionally, Bo’s Blessings will be participating in ‘Wreaths Across America,’ placing a wreath on each headstone for Christmas. All are invited to participate.
More information and opportunities can be found on the Bo’s Blessings Facebook page.