Families of the Fallen, Inc. has partnered with the management of Guthrie River Rukus Music Festival where our heroes are honored and their legacies remembered. The families of our Honored Heroes receive an all-inclusive experience at the Guthrie River Rukus Music Festival in Guthrie Center, Iowa. While at the festival the families of our Heroes can connect with others that have suffered a similar loss, while being surrounded by other living service members in a patriotic setting.

Ted BendaHonored in 2023

Families of the Fallen has selected the third hero to be honored in 2023 by our organization. We are proud to announce the selection of Iowa State Trooper Ted Benda as the third new hero to be honored by our organization at the Guthrie River Ruckus Music Festival, in Guthrie Center Iowa. Ted began his career in law enforcement is 2005 when he attended the DPS 31st Basic Academy. He was assigned to the Special Enforcement Operations Bureau with DCI. In 2016 Ted transferred to the Iowa State Patrol and was assigned to Post 8 out of Mason City. He later transferred to Post 10 out of Oelwein. Ted was very much a family man who enjoyed the outdoors. He loved taking his daughters hunting and fishing with him and teaching them what they would need to know. On October 14th, 2021 Trooper Benda was involved in a single vehicle accident while responding to assist the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office with a wanted subject. Trooper Benda succumbed to his injuries on October 20th, 2021. Ted left behind his wife, Holly, and 4 daugher’s Madilyn, Avery, Vivyan, and Sylvia. Sylvia was just 3 weeks old at the time Ted passed. Even after his death Ted continued his public service by being an organ and tissue donor, where he will continue live on in the lives of his recipients. Ted’s family will join the family of Army Sgt. Kampha Sourivong, fellow Trooper Jim Smith, and many other past honored hero families to be recognized and honored at the Guthrie River Ruckus Music Festival’s July 27 - 29, 2023. Thank you for your sacrifice, Ted Benda. May God bless you and your family, and may you rest in peace.

Jim SmithHonored in 2023

Families of the Fallen has selected the second hero to be honored in 2023 by our organization. It is with utmost honor that we announce the selection of Iowa State Trooper Sgt. Jim Smith as the second hero to be honored by our organization at Guthrie River Ruckus Music Festival. Sgt. Jim Smith began his career with the Iowa State Patrol and graduated the 19th Basic Academy in 1993. Sgt. Smith was proud of and humbled with his 27 year position with the Iowa State Patrol. Jim also devoted his life to Jesus Christ and was humbled by his service to our savior. Both are evident in one of Sgt. Smith’s quotes: "The blessings of my life as a State Trooper, like the blessings of my life as a Christian, are much the same. I am broken, lowly, humbled, and then God saves me." On Friday, April 9th, 2021 Sgt. Smith and a team of Law Enforcement Officers were attempting to take a man into custody, for severely assaulting another Police Officer in Grundy Center Iowa. Sgt. Smith and the team he was leading entered the assailant’s house to take him into custody. Upon law enforcement entering the house, the assailant opened fire on the team and Sgt. Smith was struck by the gunfire. Sgt. Smith died from his injuries. Jim’s family will join the family of Army Sgt. Kampha Sourivong, the family of one hero yet to be named, and many other past honored hero families to be recognized and honored at the Guthrie River Ruckus Music Festival to be held July 27th -29th in Guthrie Center Iowa. Thank you for your sacrifice, Sgt. Jim Smith. May God bless you and your family, and may you rest in peace.

Kampha B. SourivongHonored in 2023

Families of the Fallen has selected the first hero to be honored for 2023 by our organization. It is with great honor that we announce the selection of Army Sgt. Kampha B. Sourivong as the first hero to be honored by our organization at Guthrie River Ruckus Music Festival, to be held July 27th -29th in Guthrie Center Iowa. Kampha enlisted in the Army National Guard’s Company C of the 1st Battalion 168th Infantry at the age of 17. Kampha deployed to Iraq in 2006 with the 1st Battalion 133rd Infantry out of Waterloo, IA. Kampha was proud to be a soldier and was proud of his Laos-American heritage. Kampha was known for his love of vehicles, being a ladies’ man, and most importantly, a momma’s boy. Kampha died September 30th, 2006 from injuries he sustained when his vehicle received small arms fire in Asad, Iraq. Kampha was just 20 years old when his life was cut short from his service to our great country. Kampha’s family will join two other new families and many other past honored hero families to be recognized and honored at the Guthrie River Ruckus Music Festival’s this July. Thank you for your sacrifice, Sgt. Kampha B. Sourivong. We will never forget the sacrifice you made for our country, and may you rest in peace.