Photo By Staff Sgt. Amanda Baker | Wiesbaden Child and Youth Services participated in a Gold Star Mother’s and Families...... read more read more
WIESBADEN, Germany -- Family members and loved ones of fallen heroes gathered at the Gold Star Families Tree in front of the Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center on Clay Kaserne on September 23, in honor of Gold Star Mother’s and Families Day. The ceremony commemorated surviving family members who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while on duty.
Among the attendees were Elizabeth Washington, Survivor Outreach Services Coordinator from Wiesbaden Army Community Service. In an interview, Washington described the responsibility of the SOS.
“The Survivor Outreach Services is the Army’s official program that provides long term support case management to families of fallen Soldiers,” said Washington.
Washington expressed her gratitude for being a member of an organization that provides support to family members in times of need.
“As a veteran serving in the Army and as a military spouse, knowing that this program is here to provide that support in a multi-agency way is just amazing,” said Washington. “I feel very honored and privileged to be in this position, and I take it very seriously.”
Washington and Lt. Col. Douglas Yates, senior chaplain for U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, joined 28 children from Wiesbaden Child and Youth Services in an honor walk that ended at the Gold Star Tree.
Standing around the tree, Yates took the opportunity to speak to the youth about the significance of the day and the special tree that is located in front of the fitness center.
“What do you know about the Gold Star tree,” asked Yates the group. “Families would put up a flag with a blue star in front of their house that signified they had a loved one who was fighting in World War I.”
Yates went on to explain how the tradition continues throughout history.
“If that loved one who was fighting had died, then that star would change from blue to gold. That showed that the family member made the ultimate sacrifice. Later in 1936, Congress passed that the last Sunday of September would be known as Gold Star Mother’s and Families Day.”
After speaking to the group, Yates, Washington and others in attendance planted American flags in memory of Gold Star Mother’s and Families.
| Date Taken: | 09.23.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 10.07.2021 10:36 |
| Story ID: | 406709 |
| Location: | WIESBADEN, HE, DE |
| Web Views: | 42 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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