Gold Star Mothers honored at Open House

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Though many acts and ceremonies at the Open House Sept. 25 through 26 are meant to entertain, there is one ceremony scheduled that is sure to inspire.

The American Gold Star Mothers, a national organization of mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of the country, will be honored during a ceremony scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Sept. 26, which also happens to be National Gold Star Mother's Day.

Gold Star Mother's Day, has been recognized annually on the last Sunday of September as part of a joint congressional resolution designated June 23, 1936.

This is not the group's first visit to McConnell, the mothers visited the base in May candidly sharing stories of their children to Airmen.

"I am honored to be invited back to McConnell because since becoming a Gold Star Mother, I have really tried to get the information and knowledge out to the community to help them know who we are and why we are," said Anita Dixon, American Gold Star Mothers Wichita Chapter president. "I feel very honored to be part of McConnell, to help get the word out about Gold Star Mothers."

During the ceremony, Col. Jamie Crowhurst, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander, will detail to guests what it means to be a Gold Star Mother. Colonel Crowhurst will then present each of the 12 mothers with a flag from the American Legion Riders, a program of the American Legion.

As the mothers receive their flag from the commander, the mother's names and the names of the children they lost will be announced. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Colonel Crowhurst will invite Open House guests to visit with the mothers. The mothers will be available to discuss their involvement in the community and explain the Operation Freedom Memorial, Inc.

Operation Freedom Memorial, Inc. is a non-profit organization in the works whose plan is to construct a memorial in Veteran Memorial Park, Wichita, Kan., to honor and remember Kansas military servicemembers who fought during and in Operation Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and is meant as a special honor to those who fought in the war on terrorism, said Mrs. Dixon.

The chance to once again host the Gold Star Mother's at the Open House is one way McConnell thanks the mothers for their sacrifice.

"We are honored that each of these women has chosen to spend National Gold Star Mother's Day at McConnell's Open House," said Sharon Hamric, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs community relations chief. "These mothers have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation."

The first official group for the Gold Star Mothers made its debut in September 1936. The group received a congressional Charter in 1984, after more than fifty years of campaigning. For more information about the American Gold Star Mother or American Gold Star Mother's Day visit their Web site at www.goldstarmoms.com/index.htm. To learn more about Operations Freedom Memorial, Inc., visit ofm-ks.com.

The Gold Star Mother's ceremony is one of many events featured at McConnell's Open House Sept. 25 through 26. While the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are the featured aerial demonstration, many performers will showcase their aircraft's capabilities. The Navy will fly an F/A-18 Hornet through a variety of tactical aerial maneuvers.

John Klatt will showcase the Air National Guard and several other military aircraft will be flown and or available on display. In addition, the air show will host civilian performances by Clay Lacy, Dan Buchannon and a WWII aerial dog fight reenactment.

On the ground McConnell guests can watch as the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon personifies professionalism as they perform a precise rifle drill. In addition, soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division, "The Big Red" will showcase their legacy with ground displays.

The Open House allows McConnell to open its gates to the community and thank them for their support.