Gold Star Families take ride on The Pride of the Susquehanna

Photo By Lt. Col. Keith Hickox | Gold Star Families, Survivor Outreach Services and supporters enjoy a riverboat cruise on The Pride of the Susquehanna on Sept. 21, 2019 for an inaugural Survivors Connections Event on the Susquehanna River. Next year, The Pride of the Susquehanna plans to conduct their Survivors Connections Event in June, on the same day as the other riverboats across the country conduct their cruises for Gold Star Families.  

HARRISBURG, PA, UNITED STATES

09.23.2019

Story by Lt. Col. Keith Hickox 

Joint Force Headquarters - Pennsylvania National Guard

The Pride of the Susquehanna, in coordination with Pennsylvania National Guard Survivor Outreach Services, held a riverboat cruise for Surviving Families on Sept. 21, 2019. Those who lost family members in the line of duty were treated to a picnic and boat ride on the Susquehanna River.

Midge Beacham, a gold star mother, drove in from Pittsburgh to attend the event. Her son, Spc. Robert Hall Jr., was killed in Iraq in 2005. She appreciates these events that bring Gold Star Families together.

“Some of these families we know from past events. We all talk and we all share,” said Beacham.

“Its nice to get together with other individuals who have experienced a lose similar to yours,” said Mandy Yoder of Liberty PA. Her brother, Ryan Ostrom, was killed in Iraq in 2005. “You get to meet others who many have served with your family member.”

This inaugural trip follows the call earlier this year from The Belle of Cincinnati riverboat. The Belle asked for riverboats across the country to join their annual program to host a Survivors Connections Event for Surviving Families. Next year, The Pride of the Susquehanna intends to conduct their Survivors Connections Event cruise in June, on the same day as the other riverboats across the country.

“I think it’s great to centralize it,” said Brig. Gen. David Wood, director of the joint staff, Pa. National Guard. “When you have these events all aligned across the nation and state you have a lot of geographic options to get the maximum participation.”

The Gateway Clipper riverboat in Pittsburgh also joined this nationwide program earlier this year and is planning to host again next June.

Jeff Hanks, a survivor outreach services coordinator, pointed out that it is good to place these Survivor Connections Events with activities such as the riverboat rides.

“It’s not a somber event, it’s an opportunity to meet, greet and share with other survivors,” said Hanks. “They get to tell their story and that is part of the healing process.”

For more information about Army Survivor Outreach Services, or to locate the nearest SOS Coordinator, Contact the GSSFM representative:
Phone: [phone] or BB: 210.834.0494
Email: [e-mail]

• Date Taken: 09.23.2019
• Date Posted: 09.26.2019 11:19
• Story ID: 343815
• Location: HARRISBURG, PA, US