Gold Star Mothers & Family Day honors family members who died in the military with sunrise celebration

THE WOODLANDS, TX – The local chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America held a special sunrise commemoration of fallen family members who served in the military. The ceremony took place at Margaritaville Lake Resort in the Conroe / Montgomery area.

The ceremony was presented by Spring Creek Area TX18 Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., in partnership with Taylorized PR, Margaritaville Lake Resort, and Heather Herlong Events, LLC. Special thanks were given to Magnolia High School’s Naval JROTC, Debbie Glenn, The Red Brick Tavern, and Glenn Insurance.

As the sun rose over the waters, there was a presentation of colors for the attendees, who were mothers, fathers, and siblings of family members who had lost their lives while serving in the US Armed Forces. Debbie Glenn sang the National Anthem, then an invocation was led by Chaplain Heather Wall.

In the ceremony, Heather Herlong, president of the chapter, delivered a presentation of the Gold Star Wreath and Change of Star dedication. Next, special speaker Sherry Guy, mother of PO1 Kristofer L Guy, U.S. Navy and president of the South East Texas Chapter of The American Gold Star Mothers spoke. Next, Margie Taylor, whose son Joey Lenz died while stationed at Ft. Hood, gave a ‘Remembering the Fallen’ speech. Other Gold Star Mothers in attendance at the event included Nancy Harrison, mother of AIC Michael Mahony, U.S. Air Force; Kim Ball, mother of TSgt Cody W. Ball, U.S. Air Force; and Dawn Kotalik, mother of SPC Jarrett Kotalik, US Army.

Other aspects of the ceremony included a Gold Star Pinning, the reading of the Gold Star Mother Poem by Cara Johnson, and a benediction.

Following the ceremony, the family members and friends comforted, talked, and laughed with each other as the day brightened.

The Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. is a non-partisan, non-political, non-sectarian organization. Its Mission Statement reads, We are mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, foster mothers and female legal guardians who have children serving in the military, guard or reserves, or children who are veterans. We support each other and our children while promoting patriotism. Our organization focuses on our mission every single day and will never, ever, forsake our troops, our veterans or the families of our Fallen Heroes.

The organization has nearly 6,000 members from more than 200 Chapters throughout the nation.

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