JMRC thanks Gold Star families during the holiday season

Photo By Staff Sgt. Amanda Fry | Nickayla Myers-Garner is a Gold-Star spouse who resides in the Hohenfels area. Myers-Garner’s husband, Capt. Mark Garner, who served with the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009. His family continues to live and work in the Hohenfels area, and Myers-Garner said that there are other families who also remain in the area who remain involved in the community. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Amanda Fry)  

HOHENFELS, BY, GERMANY

11.26.2020

Story by Sgt. Amanda Fry 

Joint Multinational Readiness Center

HOHENFELS, Germany - As holiday celebrations continue at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, remembering and honoring soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice remains a priority for leaders and residents in the area. On Nov. 25, the JMRC officially began holiday celebrations by offering soldiers at the Hohenfels Training Area a Thanksgiving meal. As soldiers gathered at the dining facility, special guests were also included at the event, with several Gold Star family members attending at the request of the JMRC command.

“Thanksgiving is very important to me to be able to spend it with the military community,” said Nickayla Myers-Garner, a Gold Star military spouse who lives in the Hohenfels area. “Thanksgiving is a great way for us to be able to come and celebrate with the active duty population, because many times our Gold Star families are removed from the active duty community. Thanksgiving allows them to come and mingle and get to know some of the leaders and military members.”

Myers-Garner’s husband, Capt. Mark Garner, who served with the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009. His family continues to live and work in the Hohenfels area, and Myers-Garner said that there are other families who also remain in the area. The families support soldiers at the Hohenfels Training Area by attending events, such as change of command ceremonies or holiday events. She said that remaining involved and being included in these events is an important part of the support network for Gold Star families.

Not only does attending events such as the Thanksgiving dinner allow the Gold Star community to fellowship with active duty members, Myers-Garner said it also gives them the chance to get to know the current leaders at JMRC.

For Myers-Garner, the invitations to these events is meaningful, giving her and others the chance to visit with active duty members and support them. She added that the support that she and others receive from the military helps them remember that their sacrifice has not been forgotten by military members as well.

“More than anything, the invitation alone is so important to the Gold Star family member,” Myers-Garner said. "It shows us that the command is thinking about us and they are aware we are here in the community and they want to support us even after our military member has died. It is really important to have that connection and to know that we are cared for and still thought of.”

For active duty soldiers, Myers-Garner said there was a very meaningful way to thank those who have gone before them.

“Continue serving. Continue supporting our nation,” Myers-Garner said. That is a great way to continue to honor our family members who have died fighting for our country. Talk to us, interact with us, and ask us about our family member. Go the memorials and read about our family members and those who were here, and whose footsteps you are following.”

• Date Taken: 11.26.2020
• Date Posted: 12.07.2020 07:22
• Story ID: 383866
• Location: HOHENFELS, BY, DE