Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Allen Lee | 190926-N-DI108-0073 SILVERDALE, Wash. (Sept. 26, 2019) U.S. Navy veterans observe a...... read more read more
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SILVERDALE, Wash. – Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor hosted a Bells Across America remembrance ceremony at the base chapel, Sept. 26.
The Bells Across America remembrance ceremony is an annual event dedicated to bringing Gold Star families together to honor and remember their loved ones who died while on active duty.
Capt. Chad M. Brooks, commanding officer, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest, reminded those in attendance that they are all part of one military family and that their fallen service members will be remembered and honored.
“We gather to remember those we lost, to appreciate the freedoms they preserved for us, to share pride in their service and to honor their surviving family members who persevere with great strength and courage,” said, Brooks. “We are all a part of an extended military family. A family where it is safe to grieve, encourage and share memories.”
Command Master Chief Beau Willis, command master chief, Naval Base Kitsap, along with two other chiefs read the names of fallen service members, and a bell was struck after each name in remembrance.
“I feel that it’s my one small piece to show my respect for the families that have lost Sailors,” said, Willis. “It’s not just Sailors that have seen combat or been left overseas, we’ve had Sailors [whose] names were read today that passed away on duty due to medical causes. We’ve had Sailors that lost their battle with some mental illnesses. Those families need the respect from all of us because they served us just as much as their sons, daughters, husbands and wives served us.”
The Navy Gold Star Program is the Navy’s official program for providing long-term support to the surviving families of Sailors who passed away while on Active Duty. Their mission is for survivors to know they’ll be linked with the Navy as long as they desire.
“They keep us informed of events going on in the area, the support services they provide have been really helpful to a lot of people,” said Lee Moberg, a Navy Gold Star family member. “I think meeting other family members helps us come to terms with the grief.”
For more information on the Navy Gold Star Program, visit https://www.navygoldstar.com
| Date Taken: | 09.26.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 09.26.2019 16:30 |
| Story ID: | 343949 |
| Location: | SILVERDALE, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 51 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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