FORT RUCKER, Ala. — Fort Rucker hosted its annual Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day Luminary Service Sept. 28 at Wings Chapel, recognizing families of fallen Service Members and reaffirming the installation’s commitment to honoring their sacrifice.
Gold Star Mother’s Day was established in 1936 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to honor mothers whose children died in military service. The observance has since expanded to include all Gold Star families and is held annually on the last Sunday of September.
The luminary service drew Soldiers, civilian employees, and community members who joined Gold Star families in an evening ceremony. Attendees reflected on the legacy of those lost and emphasized continued support for surviving family members.
The event was organized by Survivor Outreach Services (SOS), a program under Army Community Service that provides long-term support to families of fallen Soldiers. SOS offers grief counseling, financial planning, benefits assistance and other resources, helping survivors stay connected to the Army community regardless of their loved one’s service component or location.
Rana Love, Survivor Outreach Services coordinator at Fort Rucker, said the luminary service is a meaningful way to honor Gold Star families and remind them they have the support of the entire community. “It’s important to always remember our families, provide the support they need, and show them they’re not alone,” she said. “Their service members are not forgotten.”
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Michael Johnson, Fort Rucker Garrison Chaplain, gave the pastoral message. He emphasized that the Gold Star Luminary Service is not only a time to honor fallen warriors and their families, but also a moment to draw strength from one another and from faith. Johnson focused on the importance of grieving with hope, a process that leads to healing, growth, and connection, rather than isolation and despair. Drawing on biblical teachings and personal experience, Johnson encouraged those in attendance to reflect on how loss shapes them, and to choose a path that fosters resilience and meaning.
Johnson posed the question, “Do the losses of our warfare make us bitter, or better?” to challenge attendees to grow through grief rather than be consumed by it.
Families of the following Soldiers attended the luminary service to honor and remember their loved ones: Sgt. 1st Class Tom Butts, Pfc. John Brown, Capt. Ben Smith, Sgt. James Hicks, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Keith Yoakum, Spc. Brendan Neenan and 1st Sgt. Brenda Moore.
2nd Lt. Olivia Brennan and Mason Lee performed a musical rendition of “I’ll Be Seeing You” as part of the evening’s program.
Johnson reminded attendees that honoring fallen Service Members means more than remembrance; it calls for resilience. “I think if our fallen warriors could address us here this afternoon, they would desire that we not pause to remember them, but that we grieve with hope and press on to get better,” he said.
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