'Ole Glory Coast to Coast - St. George, Utah
Recently, I had the honor of attending the Gold Star Monument ceremony that was dedicated to all families that have lost an immediate family member while serving the military. It was held March 26 at Historic Town Square. The U.S. flag hung at half mast in honor of the reverent occasion.
My aunt was a double Gold Star recipient. Her husband, Robert Edwin Graves, an Army Sergeant was held POW and perished in the Korean War, his only son, Randolph Edwin Graves, Specialist E-4, a helicopter gunner was killed in action during the Vietnam War while on a mission.
“We hope this will inspire people to talk about the price of freedom, and the responsibility we all have as beneficiaries of those freedoms,” Mayor Randall added. “It reminds us that some gave all, and that it is our solemn duty to honor their sacrifices by lifting our community every chance we get.”
Gold Star Families was established by Hershel “Woody” Williams, the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. On February 23, 1945 — the fifth day of battle on Iwo Jima and the day of the famous flag raising — Williams stalked hostile Japanese gun emplacements and took them out with his flame thrower, saving countless American lives in the process. His actions over the course of four hours under heavy enemy fire earned him the Medal of Honor.
His foundation forged a national effort to provide a place for Gold Star Families in recognition of the sacrifices that military people have been made for our freedom — and to ensure that we never forget.
This program is active in all 50 states and one U.S. territory with 90 monuments, 85 monuments in progress, as of mid-March 2022. This is a place, where family members can visit, sit and reflect quietly.
This is an entry to 'Ole Glory Coast to Coast' - June Active Rain Challenge. Many thanks to Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho and Endre Barath, Jr. for hosting this month's challenge!
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