Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Spreitzer | Nita Cross of Galesburg, Illinois, mother of fallen Illinois Army National Guard...... read more read more
Subscribe
Illinois’ American Legion Auxiliary honors Illinois Army National Guard Gold Star mother
Story by Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs
Springfield, Ill. – No family with a loved one serving in the military wants to become a “Gold Star” family. To do so means that their loved one made the ultimate sacrifice to the people of the United States and died while serving.
For Nita Cross, a Galesburg, Illinois, native, that day came November 3, 2005, when her son, Kyle Wehrly, was killed in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. 1st Class Werhly was assigned to Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery Regiment based in Galesburg, Illinois. In the years that followed Kyle’s death, Nita coped by paying tribute to the fallen by working with the Illinois Fallen Heroes Travelling Memorial Wall. Nita said she met and talked to many people working on the wall.
“I connected with a lot of veterans working on the wall,” said Cross. “After some reflection on my experiences, I realized I wanted to do more.”
Nita beganto volunteering at the Galesburg Homeless Veterans’ Shelter, then, when the shelter opened a second-hand store, Cross volunteered every Saturday to open the store, mark donations and help where she could.
She attended dinners, fundraisers and banquets, one of which was the Galesburg Department of the American Legion Auxiliary’s Gold Star Member dinner where her story impressed the department’s president, Pam Corbin, so much that she recommended Cross for the Illinois American Legion Auxiliary’s Gold Star Member of the Year award.
“Nita is one of our gold star auxiliary unit members and does a lot of volunteer work in the community with the local veterans’ organizations,” said Corbin. “She shared her story with us at this year’s Gold Star dinner and I had to recommend her for the award.”
Rosanne Coers, Illinois American Legion Auxiliary Gold Star Chair, said that Cross was selected from multiple submissions.
Once selected, Corbin broke the news to Cross.
“When Pam told me I had been chosen, I was shocked but honored,” said Cross. “Once I found out, I e-mailed Chris Milchuck out at the Illinois National Guard.”
Christine Milchuck, the Illinois Army National Guard’s Survivor Outreach Services Coordinator, said she was elated for Cross.
“I read Nita’s message and was so happy for her,” said Milchuck. “She’d been working so hard, she deserves the award.”
Milchuck immediately relayed the information to the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office and she said interest snowballed from there.
“Once I told PAO about it, things got a little crazy,” said Milchuck. “The PAO contacted Nita’s son’s unit and before we knew it, we had eight people, some who had served with Kyle, and a few that were now commanding his former unit, wanting to come show their support for Nita.”
Lt. Col. Krista Soria of Springfield, Illinois, commander of the newly formed 2nd Battalion, 123rd Engineer Regiment, formerly the 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery Regiment, based in Galesburg, Illinois, was among the Soldiers who attended the ceremony for Cross.
Soria said it was important to participate in the ceremony.
“This battalion never ceases to amaze me,” said Soria. “They always find ways to honor our fallen Soldiers and keep their memories alive within the ranks.”
Soria said that Wehrly had an impact on many lives and his legacy will continue.
“It’s an honor to be able to have the families of our fallen heroes remain a part of the battalion,” said Soria. “I think that it’s what our fallen would have wanted, and it’s the least we can do. We owe them so much more for their sacrifice.”
Milchuck echoed the importance of recognizing Cross.
“Not only does this recognition mean a lot to Nita,” said Milchuck. “It represents something much bigger for our Gold Star Families, it lets them know that we’re still thinking about them and their loved ones.”
Cross said she will continue her volunteer work and encouraged other Gold Star family member to do the same.
“We need to remember the fallen for their sacrifices,” said Cross. “We also have to take care of the veterans still with us. For me, volunteering is how I keep my son’s memory and legacy alive. It’s been incredibly fulfilling and I know that he’s proud of my work.”
| Date Taken: | 07.24.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 07.25.2017 12:12 |
| Story ID: | 242367 |
| Location: | SPRINGFIELD , IL, US |
| Web Views: | 34 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Shining Bright, by SSG Robert Adams, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT