FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii -- Members of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Infantry Division gathered with Anita Dixon at the Sgt. Evan S. Parker Memorial Pavilion, named after her son, Oct. 26, on Fort Shafter, Hawaii.
The pavilion was dedicated two years earlier to Parker, who died October 2006 from an improvised explosive device while serving with the 442nd ID in Iraq.
Col. Colbert Low, Commander, 4960th Multifunction Training Brigade hosted Anita and King Dixon at the pavilion and later escorted them to the Survivor Outreach Center.
Low served as the Commander, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Division in Iraq and was Parker's commander.
Low presented the Dixon's a shadow box with Parker's decorations and also pointed out the plaque dedicating the pavilion in Parkers' honor.
Anita took time to address the members in attendance at the pavilion.
"Every day is an opportunity to move forward. It's a great opportunity for me to be here" said Anita. She explained how she is active as a Gold Star Mother. Gold Star Mothers are mothers whose son or daughters made the supreme sacrifice while in service of the U.S. armed forces. She also thanked everyone for his service to the United States.
Upon finishing her comments, Anita had one final request for those that stood in formation. She asked to hear the 442nd ID unit song, "Go for Broke." She said her son used to sing "Go for Broke."
Low introduced Anita to each member of the formation where she was told stories from the Soldiers who served with Parker.
"We are all here as part of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Infantry Division and wear the patch on our shoulder and it doesn't matter when you served; we all share a common bond with Evan S. Parker. He was 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Division. He was part of us, he shares our blood, and shares our spirit," said Low.
Parker was part of Operation Heather designed to counter the IED threat in that area. Since the 100th Battalion started the operation the number of IED's went down from 23 to two in a certain time period. One of those two IED's resulted in Parker's death. The operation was so successful that is ended in mid-November 2006, Low said.
Low finished his comments by having those in formation sing "Go for Broke". Once finished the formation took a group photo with Mrs. Dixon.
Low escorted the Dixon family to the Survivor Outreach Services at Fort Shafter where they met program specialist, Jennifer Koranyi.
Koranyi gave the Dixon family a tour of the Survivor Outreach Services facility and discussed their programs.
Anita thanked Koranyi for the work of the SOS and how important these programs are the families.
The SOS visit finished with Anita ceremoniously re-hanging a picture of her son on the wall honoring fallen servicemembers.
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