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From center, Maj. Gen. Anthony S. McQueen, Juan D. Ayala, Command Sgt. Maj. Jesus H. Gonzalez, and Chief Warrant Officer 5 Lee Nelson stand with the families of Marine Sgt. Aaron Cepeda and Army Spc. Tracy Clint Willis, killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, respectively, during the prestation of a city proclamation during a Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day ceremony and luncheon hosted by U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025.
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Juan D. Ayala, Director of Military and Veterans Affairs for the City of San Antonio, speaks to families of fallen service members and members of the U.S. military at the Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day ceremony and luncheon on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. Ayala, a retired Marine major general also presented a proclamation from the city, signed by Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones. The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence hosted the event and partnered with Survivor Outreach Services to honor the surviving families of service members who died in service to the nation.
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Army Maj. Gen. Anthony S. McQueen, commanding general of the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence and Joint Base San Antonio Senior Army Element, delivers the keynote address to Gold Star Families, members of the U.S. Military and local civic officials, during the Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day ceremony and luncheon hosted by MEDCoE on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. MEDCoE partnered with Survivor Outreach Services to honor the surviving families of fallen service members.
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A.J. Marshall, Jr., Survivor Outreach Services Coordinator, speaks to Gold Star Families, members of the U.S. Military and local civic officials, to close the Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day ceremony and luncheon on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence partnered with Survivor Outreach Services to host the ceremony and honor the surviving families of fallen service members.
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Diana Cepeda, Gold Star Mother, shakes the hand of one of many military volunteers at the Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day ceremony and luncheon on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. Cepeda’s son, Marine Sgt. Aaron Cepeda, was killed in action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, in 2005. Members of the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club, SMA Leon Van Autreve Chapter, Joint Base San Antonio Fire Department, and area commands volunteered at the event. The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence partnered with Survivor Outreach Services to host the ceremony and honor the surviving families of fallen service members.
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Army Spc. Nia Soyemi, vocalist with the 323d Army Band “Fort Sam’s Own,” sings “America the Beautiful” to Gold Star Families, members of the U.S. Military and local civic officials, during the Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day ceremony and luncheon on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. Soyemi also sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” to open the ceremony, and members of the 323d Woodwind Quintet provided music before and after the event. U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence hosted the event and partnered with Survivor Outreach Services to honor the surviving families of fallen service members.
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Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Olsen, U.S. Army South command sergeant major, speaks to a Gold Star Mother at the Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day ceremony and luncheon hosted by U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. MEDCoE partnered with Survivor Outreach Services to honor the surviving families of fallen service members with a ceremony and luncheon.
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Command Sgt. Maj. Jesus H. Gonzalez, U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence command sergeant major and senior enlisted leader, Joint Base San Antono Senior Army Element Command, speaks to attendees of the Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day ceremony and luncheon hosted by MEDCoE on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. MEDCoE partnered with Survivor Outreach Services to honor the surviving families of fallen service members with a ceremony and luncheon.
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SAN ANTONIO—In a room filled with solemn pride and strength, the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, in partnership with Survivor Outreach Services, hosted a luncheon and ceremony to honor Gold Star Mothers and Families of fallen service members on Sept. 28, 2025, at the Airport Doubletree Hotel.
The event brought together families of fallen service members, military and civic leaders, and community organizations in a heartfelt tribute to lives lost.
Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, observed the last Sunday in September, is a National Day of Remembrance. The term Gold Star Family is a reference to the service flag, designed in 1917. Originally, the flag included a blue star for every immediate family member serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during periods of armed conflict. If the service member, died, a gold star replaced the blue.
Command Sgt. Maj. Jesus H. Gonzalez, MEDCoE command sergeant major and JBSA Senior Army Element senior enlisted leader gave the opening remarks at the ceremony.
“To our Gold Star Mothers and Families present—your strength, resilience and unwavering devotion embodies the highest ideals of service and sacrifice,” said Gonzalez. “Though no words can lessen the weight you carry, please know that this gathering stands as a testament to our solemn promise, your loved ones will never be forgotten.”
The ceremony featured a proclamation signed by San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and presented by Juan G. Ayala, retired Marine major general and Director of Military and Veteran Affairs Department for the City of San Antonio. Ayala expressed his respect and gratitude to the family members in the audience before presenting the proclamation to McQueen and two families in attendance. The proclamation acknowledges the enduring strength of Gold Star families and the commitment to partnership the city of San Antonio has with its military community, and it will be read out loud at the next city council meeting.
The keynote speaker of the event was Maj. Gen. Anthony L. McQueen, MEDCoE commanding general and Joint Base San Antonio Senior Army Element Command.
“This day is not simply a line on the calendar; it is sacred ground. It is a living promise that we will never forget the names, the faces and the stories of those who gave their lives in service to our nation,” McQueen said. “Your presence here is a reminder that love endures beyond loss, that courage is passed from one generation to the next, and that the bonds of family and country are forever intertwined.”
Air Force Families Forever was one of many support programs at the luncheon. Erica Mays, a representative for AFFF, talked about the importance of their program and why this event is so special.
“We are here to help the families navigate grief and support them through that,” Mays said. “This is not something that ever goes away, but as they learn to navigate life without the person they absolutely cherish and see them laugh, smile and hold space with other individuals who share their same circumstance is just monumental.”
The military community in San Antonio, proudly known as Military City USA, stands united in its unwavering support and deep gratitude. Through remembrance, heartfelt tributes and continued outreach, the community reaffirms its commitment to honoring the legacy of those who gave their lives in service to our nation.
MEDCoE is the Army Medicine proponent responsible for envisioning and designing responsive Army Medicine capabilities and structure that support the fielded force and the future force. MEDCoE is also one of 10 Centers of Excellence aligned under the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.
To learn more about MEDCoE visit https://medcoe.army.mil/
For more information on Survivor Outreach Services visit: https://www.jbsa.mil/Resources/Survivor-Outreach-Services/
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