In support of Gold Star Families

The tragic deaths of at least 13 U.S. servicemembers, along with dozens of Afghanistan allies, from a terrorist attack Aug. 26 in Kabul further solidified The American Legion’s longstanding support of Gold Star Families.

In a statement issued in the hours after the bombing, American Legion National Commander James “Bill” Oxford reiterated support for the families of the fallen servicemembers.

"Every single one of those troops who made the ultimate sacrifice is a hero," American Legion National Commander James "Bill" Oxford said in a statement. "We stand side-by-side with Gold Star Families, Gold Star mothers and all family members who lost a loved one."

The suicide bombing brought back memories for Gold Star Mother Robin Stacey. Her son, Marine Corps Sgt. William C. Stacey, was killed on his fourth deployment, Jan. 31, 2012, by an improvised explosive device.

"As someone who knows exactly what it feels like to see those two Marines at your door, I am sick at heart today,” she said. “All I have to give their families and to the families of the Afghans who died trying to flee or help is a poem that was sent to me after Will was killed; I still read it every day, and its last line is engraved on his marker at Arlington. Obviously, it is not enough. Nothing can never be enough.”

The poem is “Late Fragment,” by Raymond Carver. It reads, “And did you get what you wanted from this life, even so? I did. And what did you want? To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth."

Jordan Houghton, who served in the Army from 2009 to 2013, honored the fallen Marine by establishing William C. Stacey American Legion Post 206 in Seattle.

Post 206 works with the RUG Little League (Roosevelt University district and Greenlake) on team development and field improvements for the baseball field Stacey played on during his childhood. “We are in the works of having the field renamed after Will as well, with support from the community and RUG Little League,” Houghton said. “Aside from that, we try to do youth projects as that was a big part of what Will found valuable from his time in Afghanistan.”

The post is committed to keeping Will Stacey’s name and memory alive in their community, a prime example of how The American Legion supports Gold Star Families. 

“Being able to honor his family and his sacrifice, and keeping his memory alive is what invigorates our post to continue working forward,” Houghton said.