Army designates parking for families of the fallen

Photo By Darrin McDufford | This sign reserves parking for families of fallen soldiers to remind them that they are honored for their sacrifice and are still part of the Army community.  

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

06.05.2013

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Darrin McDufford 

88th Readiness Division

FORT MCCOY, Wis. - The 88th Regional Support Command has designated parking spaces to be used by Gold Star families in honor and recognition of the sacrifice of family members who have lost a loved one in military service.

Parking spaces for use by families of the fallen have been established at four locations throughout the 88th RSC area in Darien, Ill., Wichita, Kan., Fort McCoy, Wis., and Salt Lake City.

“Our fallen warriors have paid the ultimate sacrifice and we have a commitment to families of the fallen to recognize that sacrifice,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael B. Koszuta, command sergeant major of the 88th RSC. “The U.S. Army Reserve Command is dedicated to delivering on the promise of the Army Family Covenant by providing support to surviving families for as long as they desire.”

The Survivor Outreach Services office at Fort McCoy serves the states of Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin and supports families of the fallen. Survivor Outreach Services is the official Army program designed to provide long term support to surviving families. Program managers provide support through the grief period, coordinate support groups, provide information and referral services, and provide other services as required.

Survivor Outreach Services is a “one” Army program. Regardless of your loved one’s Army component, duty status, location, or manner of death, Survivor Outreach Services support coordinators and financial counselors are here to provide dedicated outreach and support when, and for as long as you desire.

In a letter to Gold Star families in 2011, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno wrote, "No one knows the acute cost of war better than our Gold Star families and as we close this chapter of our history, our Gold Star families will always be honored and remembered by a grateful nation.

"I know that words will never fully express the sense of loss that you feel, but I assure you that our Army and our Nation will never forget those that bravely gave their last full measure in defense of our freedom."

For more information about Survivor Outreach Services, go to www.sos.army.mil.

The Survivor parking signs are located at the following facilities:

Parkhurst U.S. Army Reserve Center
10S100 South Frontage Rd.
Darien, IL 60561

1st Lt. Lanny J. Wallace U.S. Army Reserve Center
3130 South George Washington Blvd.
Wichita, KS 67210

Franklin L. McKean Hall
Building 103 (Fort Douglas)
360 East Soldier Circle
Salt Lake City, UT 84113

Capt. Robert E. Roeder U.S. Army Reserve Center
60 South O St.
Fort McCoy, WI 54656

• Date Taken: 06.05.2013
• Date Posted: 06.06.2013 16:36
• Story ID: 108192
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WI, US