Gold Star Weekend in Illinois: Luncheon Honors Service of Gold Star Mothers [Image 54 of 65]

WHEATON, IL, UNITED STATES

09.29.2019

Photo by Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton 

Joint Force Headquarters - Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

Gold Star Mother Denise Williams, the mother of Army Pfc. Andrew N. Meari, pauses before the U.S. Army table before laying down a yellow rose in memory of her son. Meari, 21, was assigned to 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky. He was killed in action on Nov. 1, 2010 at Combat Outpost Senjaray, Afghanistan, while shielding other Soldiers from the blast of an improvised explosive device. A park in Joliet is named in his honor. The Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Star Mothers Luncheon gives senior civilian and military leaders a chance to thank Gold Star mothers for their service to our nation and its military. Governor JB Pritzker thanked the Gold Star Mothers and said he was humbled to have the opportunity to speak with them. In addition to the sacrifice their sons and daughters gave to their nation, many Gold Star mothers keep their Fallen Heroes memories alive and continue their service to the community and to the military, said Lt. Gen. Thomas S. James, the Commander of First Army and keynote speaker at the luncheon. The luncheon was held at the First Infantry Division Museum at Cantigny in Wheaton, Illinois, on Sunday, Sept. 29.

• Date Taken: 09.29.2019
• Date Posted: 09.30.2019 18:09
• Photo ID: 5796162
• VIRIN: 190929-A-OH563-427
• Resolution: 3062x2374
• Size: 1.01 MB
• Location: WHEATON, IL, US