FORT BENNING, Ga., (May 28, 2014) -- Memorial Day weekend represented more than barbeques and the beach for Nicole DiCenzo. It was also the eighth anniversary of the death of her husband Capt. Doug DiCenzo, who was killed during an IED explosion in Baghdad, Iraq.
DiCenzo and other Gold Star Families wear Gold Star pins to remember their fallen loved ones and to remind others of their many sacrifices. However, dialogue with the public about the death of a Family member can create awkward situations.
DiCenzo said she wants to help change that.
"If they feel comfortable, they can give me hug because I need all of the support I can get," she said. "If you can shoot a prayer up to heaven if you see the Gold Star on the back of my car, that would be wonderful."
Gold Star pins are generally presented at a military funeral to the Family members of service members who have died on active-duty. Survivor Outreach Services has launched the second phase of a national campaign to increase awareness of Gold Star pins as part of the Army's goal to give the public an opportunity to offer thanks and support. For many Family members, increasing knowledge of the Gold Star pin could start with a simple conversation.
"It's a difficult subject because people ask you a question and you tend to want to make a lighter side of it," said Brittany Lawrence, widow of Capt. Joshua Lawrence, who was killed in action Oct. 8, 2011, in Afghanistan. "The Gold Star is an honor. It's the tragic story of a fallen hero, but it's such an honor to be a Gold Star wife because I get to carry his legacy on and honor and him and his memory and inspire other Soldiers to be incredible leaders like him."
Lawrence works with Survivor Outreach Services and participates in resilience training on Fort Benning. She said SOS continues to search for surviving mothers and wives to join group activities and gather occasionally for functions on post.
"I think the Army is always your Family," Lawrence said. "The Army Family understands more than anyone what you have gone through and what you are still going through every day."
Sherell Shaw, widow of Staff Sgt. Alan Shaw, said the Gold Star pin represents the courage and sacrifice of fallen heroes and those who live to carry on their legacies.
"For some reason, we have forgotten what means to be a Gold Star Family member," she said. "Those of us who wear this pin are not looking for any personal recognition, but we do want to assure that no one ever forgets the sacrifice that my husband and so many other have given on the battlefield."
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