Local Gold Star parents and families were recognized during a small ceremony Sunday evening at the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument on the Owensboro riverfront.
The ceremony was held in observance of Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day. Initiated during World War I, the title Gold Star distinguishes a family member who lost a loved one in military service. Today, immediate family members receive a Gold Star from the Department of Defense to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Owensboro City Commissioner Pamela Smith-Wright and , VFW Post 696 chaplain Anthony Cobb read the names of the following local service members in recognition of their sacrifice:
- SGT Michael Cable, KIA, Afghanistan
- SPC Adam Fulkerson, Iraq
- SGT James Harlan, Iraq
- CPO Brian Hamilton
- SPC Brandon Mullins, KIA, Afghanistan
- PFC David Nash, KIA, Vietnam
- SPC David Taylor, KIA, Afghanistan
- Navy Airman James Van Bussem, MIA, Vietnam
- HM3 Joshua Yeckering, died while serving, California
The family of each service member was presented with a long-stem yellow rose and a commemorative Gold Star patch. Family members placed the roses at the foot of the monument as a way to pay their respects to their loved ones.
Army veteran Tommy Mullins, a Blue Star and Gold Star father, was one of the parents to place his rose on the monument. Tommy’s and Cathy’s son SPC Brandon was killed in action (KIA) in Afghanistan in 2011.
“It’s hard to understand how a mother can watch her son or daughter willingly join our U.S. Armed Forces during wartime,” Tommy said about the importance of recognizing Gold Star mothers and families. “It’s not that we, as a Gold Star family, deserve any recognition. It’s the freedom for which our son fought that should be recognized.”
