Diane Ferrell named AFAD Grand Marshall

Diane Ferrell was presented with the Grand Marshall's plaque Monday.

The Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce has announced that longtime volunteer Diane Ferrell is this year's Air Force Appreciation Day Grand Marshall.

To be an Air Force Appreciation Day (AFAD) Grand Marshall, one must be an individual that has worked specifically towards making it the successful event that it is.

According to the Ferrell's significant other, Gary Clampitt, she has never hesitated in helping with jobs that no one seems to notice.

"She isn't afraid of getting her hands dirty and doesn't care about receiving recognition for it," he said.

The 2006 AFAD Grand Marshall works at The Hair Hut and has been cutting hair for an amazing 34 years. For more than 15 years, she has volunteered to wash pots and pans during AFAD with a smile on her face, according to Clampitt.

"Some say Diane originally took this job because it was closest to the keg," he said. "And therefore she could walk home if the 'work' made it too difficult to drive!"

"In reality though, that job is one of the toughest, nastiest and hottest jobs of all the volunteer jobs at AFAD and yet she stuck with it for all those years."

Sticking with Elmore County and Mountain Home appears to run in Ferrell's family.

Her father served as a belly gunner on a B-17 during World War II and her mother passed away when she was still quite young.

So little Diane came to live with her grandmother, who owned a dairy in Glenns Ferry. It was on this land, which was donated for community use, where Diane grew up.

One of her aunts even went on to serve as the first health care nurse in Elmore County and also helped to start the Cheer Basket program.

Diane herself has lived in Mountain Home for more than 30 years and in that time has supported dozens of community events, including AFAD.

"She should have been recognized long ago," said Clampitt. "But we are pleased to do so now."

Ferrell was surprised not only with the Grand Marshall honor but also by the presence of her family at the ceremony, held Monday at Carlos'.

Besides Clampitt, her brother Dick Crockett, sister-in-law Marcy Crockett, daughter Dawn Ferrell, son Casey Ferrell, daughter-in-law Patty Ferrell and grandson Brian Thomas were all present to recognize Ferrell.