FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii -- A Gold Star mother received a memento symbolizing her son's military service from the unit he served with in Iraq at a ceremony at the Sgt. Evan Parker Memorial Pavilion, here.
Col. Colbert Low, commander, 4960th Multifunction Training Brigade, 9th Mission Support Command, presented Anita Dixon with a shadow box with Sgt. Evan Parker's military decorations, here, Oct. 26.
The pavilion had been dedicated two years earlier in Parker's name. Low had served as Parker's commander in Iraq.
Members of Parker's unit, the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Infantry Division, also attended the ceremony.
Parker died in October 2006 from an improvised explosive device while serving with the 442nd Inf. Div. in Iraq.
"Every day is an opportunity to move forward," Dixon said. "It's a great opportunity for me to be here."
Anita Dixon is an active Gold Star Mother -- mothers whose son or daughter has made the supreme sacrifice while in service of the U.S. armed forces. She thanked everyone for his or her service.
After her remarks, Dixon asked to hear the 442nd Inf. Div.'s unit song: "Go for Broke."
Low introduced Dixon to each member of the formation. She said she enjoyed hearing stories from the Soldiers who served with her son.
"We are all here as part of the 100th Inf. Bn., 442nd Inf. Div., and wear the patch on our shoulder, and it doesn't matter when you served," Low said. "We all share a common bond with (Sgt.) Parker. He was part of us. He shares our blood and shares our spirit."
Social Sharing