Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Tomora Nance | Terry Peggins, the acting program manager for the Survivor Outreach Services program,...... read more read more
FORT HOOD, Texas - Losing a loved one can be difficult. There may be unanswered questions or unresolved issues that can surface after the loss. The Army provides a way to combat these very difficult times with the Survivor Outreach Services, which held a day of pampering for Gold Star mothers and families on Sept. 27 at the Fort Hood SOS building.
A Gold Star family is a term that derived from a service flag first flown by families during World War I. The flag symbolized a family member serving during a period of hostility. The flag included a blue star for every family member serving and was replaced by a gold star if that service member died in combat.
The SOS serves as the Army’s commitment to Gold Star families, by providing specialized services and helping them cope during their difficult times.
“The main reason for today is a commitment to our Gold Star family members,” said Terry Peggins, the acting program manager for the SOS program. “It lets them know they have not been forgotten and their fallen Soldiers have not been forgotten.”
Peggins added, “We recognize that no one has given more for the nation than the families of the fallen, so today is to honor them.”
Many of the participants of the pampering day wore their Gold Star pins including ret. Air Force Maj. Will Chapman and his wife Lynn, from Georgetown, Texas, the parents of Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Ross Chapman.
Sgt. 1st Class Chapman was a Special Forces Soldier with 1st Special Forces Group at Fort Lewis, Wash. and was the first American Soldier killed by enemy fire in Afghanistan Jan. 4, 2002. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Forward Operating Base Chapman, also known as Camp Chapman in Khost province, Afghanistan, was named after him.
“We decided to see the facility here and meet the people who help the Families of fallen Soldiers,” said Mr. Chapman. “We couldn’t be more proud of our son, and it’s nice that people remember the Families as well.”
The SOS provided lunch to the Gold Star family members as well as facial scrubs and hair styling.
“This is a day of pampering and lets the survivors know how much they are appreciated; we focus on what we can do to give back to them,” said Peggins.
“I’m glad there are resources here to help us through the grievance process,” said Mary Perkins, from Kempner, Texas, whose dad was Master Sgt. Ray Yancy, retired. “I really enjoyed my facial today and the opportunity to meet Gold Star families.”
Although many of the female participants received free facial scrubs and hair styles, the men weren’t left out.
For the men that come out to this event, there are activities set up specifically for them, said Peggins.
“We really try to cater to all families who’ve lost a loved one,” Peggins added.
“I’m just glad this program is here for any family member that needs to grieve the loss of a loved one no matter if you are a Gold Star member or not,” Perkins said.
After the day of pampering that lasted from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., family members were encouraged to attend the Soldier Show held at Fort Hood’s Palmer Theater.
“We reached out to the MWR to see if they could provide us with some free tickets to the Soldier Show in which ironically happened to be on the same day as our event and of course they provided us with tickets,” said Peggins. “Not only did the Soldier Show give the SOS free tickets but they also gave us VIP seating for the Gold Star families.”
“I’m looking toward going to the Soldier Show; it will be my first time,” said Perkins.
The SOS also observed the Gold Star Mother's Day Sept. 28 with a ceremony. During the ceremony, Gold Star mothers received certificates. In 1936, Congress proclaimed the last Sunday of September to be Gold Star Mother's Day, and in 2009 families were included.
| Date Taken: | 09.27.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.30.2014 14:56 |
| Story ID: | 143813 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Hometown: | KEMPNER, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 109 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, SOS gives back to Gold Star families, by SFC Tomora Nance, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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