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TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Nearly 300 people participated in the 7th Annual Gold Star Families Ruck March here May 20.
The event featured remarks from Col. Thomas Pauly, 60th Air Mobility Wing vice commander, presentations from 25 families of California service members who died during wartime and a 10 kilometer run/march. Participants chose to march or run either with or without a 30-pound rucksack while traversing 6.2 miles.
“It’s been said, ‘The greatest display of love is a willingness to lay down one’s life for their friends,’” said Pauly. “Today, we gather to pay tribute to folks who did just that. They were willing to lay down their lives for their friends, families and the nation they loved. We want to take time today to remember those brave heroes and their sacrifices, as well as their families and say thank you.”
“At Travis, we recognize the sacrifice you gave and we will never forget that sacrifice,” said Pauly. “We are here with love, support and thankfulness.”
The colonel led all in attendance in a round of applause for the 62 Gold Star family members in attendance.
Karen Meredith, a Gold Star mother who lost her only child, was the guest speaker. U.S. Army 1st Lt. Ken Ballard, a tank platoon leader was killed by small arms fire in Iraq in 2004; eight days before he was scheduled to return home.
“We all have our story and everyone is different,” said Meredith. “As Gold Star Families the one thing we have in common is the loss of a loved one.”
“But our children and family members will not die until the last person says their name, we love to hear their names, see their pictures and we love how the Air Force is honoring our loved ones today,” she said. “I appreciate all of you for being here and good luck on the run.”
During the march, participants carried a picture, button or bracelet in honor of a deceased service member. Airman 1st Class Jennifer Boyd, 60th Security Forces Squadron traffic clerk, carried several bracelets with her, including one in memory of Airman 1st Class Alfred Komlev, a security forces member who died in September 2016. “He was a defender and I know other defenders have fallen and I wanted to run in their honor,” said Boyd. “I want them and their families to know that they’re still thought of, that they’re not forgotten.”
Paul Kinser Sr., grandfather of U.S. Army Spc. Adam Kinser, a special operator who was killed while on patrol in Afghanistan in January 2004, attended the event for the third time.
Adam was killed weeks before his son was born. Displayed on a table honoring Adam were several photos of him as he was growing up. Paul pointed to one and said, “That’s me and him on our first fishing trip.”
“We’re here to honor him and our fallen soldiers,” said Paul. “This is a great event to be a part of, to feel the patriotism here and come together.”
Master Sgt. Mike Dugan, 60th Aerial Port Squadron first sergeant and the project lead for the event, said it’s vital to honor those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice.
“Today, we give back to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice,” he said. “In our Airman’s Creed we say, ‘I’ll never leave an Airman behind.’ To me, I extend that to all service members, whether that’s an airman, soldier, sailor or Marine. We can’t leave them behind, even in memory.”
“Not many people are willing to put their lives on the line for our country and we need to celebrate those who have done so,” said Dugan.
Gold Star Family members wear a gold star lapel button distributed by the Department of Defense signifying they’ve lost a loved one serving in the armed forces during wartime. The organization traces its beginning to 1918 when one mother, Grace Darling Seibold, decided to turn the grief of losing her son in World War I into a movement that became the Gold Star Mothers. These mothers comforted one another after the loss of a daughter or son to combat and met with service members who returned from war.
In May 1930, the Gold Star Mothers traveled to visit the graves of their sons and daughters in Europe. By 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated September 27 as National Gold Star Mother’s Day. Today, the term “Gold Star Families” includes all immediate family members who have lost a loved one serving in the armed forces during wartime.
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