JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
The Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Survivor Outreach Support Services hosted the National Gold Star Mothers and Families luncheon at the Warrior Family Support Center on the Brooke Army Medical Center campus Sept. 29.
Sept. 22-28 was designated “Gold Star Families Remembrance Week,” which included a presidential proclamation designating Sept. 29 as Gold Star Mothers and Family Day to express sympathy, respect and gratitude for the loss that military families have endured.
At the luncheon, 105 Gold Star Mothers and family members, along with other guests, were recognized for their sacrifice and loss of a loved one who died while on active duty.
The program consisted of senior noncommissioned officers from four branches of the military, along with their wives, greeting and showing command support to Gold Star Families. At the start of the program, Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christopher Cary, Air Force Chief Master Sgt Jason R. Hammel, Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Maxwell B. Mcgill, and Army Command Sgt. Maj. William H. O’Neal II greeted and distributed Gold Star Flag lapel pins to each Gold Star Family member.
Mayor Michael Carpenter of Schertz presented keynote speaker Brig. Gen. Wendy Harter, Brooke Army Medical Center commanding general, with the proclamation declaring Sept. 29, 2019, as National Gold Star Mothers and Family Day.
After accepting the proclamation, Harter addressed the audience by acknowledging their sacrifice, sense of loss and the nation’s gratitude.
“I know I speak for our military leaders when I say we know how important our family members are in supporting our service members and warfighters,” Harter said. “We will continue to support you as you have supported us. That is our vow to you.”
For survivors, or those who know someone who has lost a loved one while on active duty, contact the Survivor Outreach Services at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Office at 210- 221- 1938 for support and a chance to get on the SOS Express newsletter email list. There is also a Facebook page at “Survivor Outreach Services Fort Sam Houston” that lists the latest events in the San Antonio area.