THE GOLD STAR

EDGAR A. GUEST Copyright, 1918, by Edgar A. Guest

T'he star upon their service flag has changed to gleaming gold;
It speaks no more of hope and life, as once it did of old,
But splendidly it glistens now for every eye to see
And softly whispers: "Here lived one who died for liberty.

"Here once he walked and played and laughed, here oft his smile was known;
Within these walls today are kept the toys he used to own.
Now I am he who marched away and I am he who fell
Of service once I spoke, but now of sacrifice I tell.
"No richer home in all this land is there than this I grace,
For here was cradled manhood fine; within this humble place
A soldier for the truth was born, and here, beside the door,
A mother sits and grieves for him who shall return no
more.

''Salute me, stranger, as you pass! I mark a soldier who
Gave up the joys of living here, to dare and die for you!
This is the home that once he knew, who fought for you and fell;
This is a shrine of sacrifice, where faith and courage dwell."

I think one of the hardest parts for me was when they called up the mothers to receive their Gold Stars.

There was a few of the fathers and family members sitting right in front of me ( with in a foot) as their sons or daughters, brother or sisters name was called out they started to cry. 1 Father really started to cry and I held back as much as I could. All I wanted to do at that point is stand down from the flag line and go and sit with him, but I knew that probably was not the right thing to do so I stood there Proud with my flag in my hand and tears rolling down my face.

Well, guess what. I forgot my dark sunglasses at home. I noticed family & friends looking at me as the tears rolled down my face and the lump in my throat.

That was embarrassing but at the same time I think they know how much they mean to us and that their son, daughter, brother or sisters will never be forgotten.

After having a couple of days to think about Sunday and having read all the replies to the event, I have concluded that we, the PGR, should accept the gratitude of the families and friends in attendance.  I also do not receive well, however; it is nice to now that the PGR is appreciated.  WE WILL NEVER FORGET.   And I feel that the “thank you’s” that we receive only serves to deepen our commitment to that end.

We were there to HONOR the mothers who lost a large part of themselves, so if in doing what we do has lessened the pain in their hearts by any small degree, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Mike Stuckey

PROUD, BUT HUMBLED, PGR MEMBER

All I can say about this mission is that I am glad I had my sunglasses on. I, for one, was extremely touched when the families stood and applauded us. If, for one moment, in a time of extreme sorrow, we can show these families that their sons and daughters will not be forgotten and they choose to show their appreciation by applauding us, so be it. There was no "applause sign", no cue from a director, just pure heartfelt thanks for doing what we do. 
I know, all too well, what it's like to loose a sister. While it was not during battle, it was doing the next best thing, living with and supporting her Marine in Okinawa. I will not attempt to speak for my Father or Mother, but they too, know what it's like to loose a child. Each of the Missions that we attend, usually as a family, is our way of continuing the support for our military men and women and their families that she lived, day in and day out.
I do not need to be thanked, but should the families feel it neccessary to shake my hand, hug me, applaud me, or even just make prolonged eye contact, I want them to know that I do know how they feel. And from the bottom of my heart, "It's my Honor."


"Soldier- Because of your bravery, courage, and sacrifice, liberty & freedom are still ours. We are deeply grateful."