Hansen Family Honor Fallen Son

HANSEN, Idaho (KLIX)- A mother and father of a fallen soldier have a new memorial dedicated to him on their front lawn in Hansen. Tuesday a five hundred pound five foot tall carving of a combat beaver was delivered to the Bonifacio family in Hansen.

The Bonifacio family lost their son Staff Sergeant Jerry Bonifacio Jr. in Iraq after a suicide bombing in 2005. His mother Anna Bonifacio said the carving turned out to be more than she expected. Jerry Bonifacio Senior was impressed by the carving. He said his son got the nickname "beaver" as a kid and it stuck with him through his time in the Army.

The Black Bear Dinner donated the carving to the family. The restaurant chain operates in a number of locations in the Northwest including Boise. The restaurants feature bear carvings which are done by Ray Shulz.