Gold Star Mothers were honored and remembered at a special concert of The U.S. Army Chorus Sept. 29 at Brucker Hall on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.
"We're honoring all the families, but it's also understanding that Gold Star Mothers is a veteran's service organization," said Kristi Pappas, Survivor Outreach Services coordinator for JBM-HH. "They continue their children's service by helping other troops."
The event was part of ongoing commemorations for Gold Star Mother's Day, which was Sept. 27. The last Sunday of each September is designated as Gold Star Mother's Day. According to its website, American Gold Star Mothers Inc., is an organization of mothers who have lost a son or daughter in service to the country. The nonprofit organization was founded in 1928 and chartered by Congress in 1984. For Mary Wiley, the concert came on the 6th anniversary of the death of her son, Army Spc. Ross E. Vogel.
"The sacrifice that our children make for freedom, people don't realize in this country," she said. "People around the world want to come to this country for our freedoms, and we don't realize that."
Vogel was killed in a non-combat related incident in Kut, Iraq, on Sept. 29, 2009. A member of 67th Signal Battalion, 35th Signal Brigade based in Fort Gordon, Georgia, Vogel was serving his third tour of duty in Iraq when he was killed.
During the hourlong concert, the chorus performed selections including "Consider Yourself," "Softly as a Morning Sunrise" and "God Bless America."
"This is as close to honoring the fallen as we can get," said Master Sgt. Clifton Ogea, who sings baritone for the chorus. "This is powerful."
There are Gold Star Mothers chapters in 30 states across the country and Puerto Rico. For more information on Gold Star Mothers, visit their web site at www.goldstarmoms.com.
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