Posts honor Gold Star Mothers
Members of Staff Sgt. Jason Vazquez Post 939 in Chicago paid tribute to the mother of the soldier bearing the post name on Gold Star Mother’s Day, Sept. 26.
The nearly year-old post honored three Latina Gold Star mothers with special gift baskets, which included a spa day, two tickets to a play plus dinner in Chicago, and some other gifts.
“We wanted to do this to honor them,” Post 939 Commander Marcos Torres explained. “Their child’s sacrifice was not in vain. As parents, their sacrifice was not in vain. And we wanted to make sure their child would not be forgotten — and they would not be forgotten.”
Lisa Perez, the mother of Vazquez, appreciated the recognition. Every holiday Perez wears a button bearing a photo of her and her son as a tribute.
Vazquez, who served in the Army National Guard, was killed in Afghanistan in 2008.
Perez recently went to comfort a Gold Star mother who recently lost her son.
“It means a lot to me,” she says of being remembered on Gold Star Mother’s Day. “I know my son was special and he will always be special. For the other Gold Star moms, I know it’s hard. It’s a daily struggle for me. I have good days, and sometimes I have bad days. But he would want me to move forward. I tell the other Gold Star moms, ‘Don’t ever forget your kids’ memories. Make events for the holidays. Always make sure they are always remembered.’”
And that’s exactly what has driven Torres and his post members.
“We have to remember the veteran community does not stop with the veteran,” said Torres, who noted State Farm sponsored the gifts. “It’s their children, their spouses, their brothers and sisters, their parents. Anyone who has served knows they serve right along with you.”
On Gold Star Mother’s and Families Day, other American Legion Family members honored the fallen and their families. Among them:
• In Rothschild, Wis., American Legion Post 492 held a ceremony for Gold Star families and mothers at the community’s Veterans Memorial Park, where a Gold Star Mother’s statue was dedicated a year ago.
“If they need to come and reflect to think about things to just find peace in their loss, it lets them know that they’re not alone,” Post 492 Commander Paul Gwidt said.
• American Legion Riders from Post 43 in Naperville, Ill., have helped raised funds for a Gold Star Families Memorial. A groundbreaking for the project was held on Sunday. It’s part of Medal of Honor recipient Woody Williams’ project to place a memorial in every state. Williams, an American Legion member, is the last MoH recipient from World War II.
• In Decatur, Ala., several American Legion posts participated in a special dinner for Gold Star Families. American Legion Post 15, American Legion Post 310 and American Legion Post 52 were among those who made the day special for the families.