Saturday morning (9/25/2021) we meet up at 9:15 AM near the Lincoln Memorial for a 2.2 mile walk-a-thon for Suicide awareness. We were honored to have walk with us VA Secretary Denis R. McDonough.

The walk started at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, past the Korean War Memorial, the World War II Memorial then around the Washington Monument finishing up at the apex of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for a wreath laying ceremony.

American Gold Star Mothers National President Jo Ann Maitland lead the Moms, Gold Star Dads, Gold Star Family members, supporters and friends on a 2.2 mile walk-a-thon to bring awareness to military suicide.

"One A Day Is A Tragedy" "22 A Day Is Unacceptable"

Gold Star Mother Annette Cuzzupe-Kirk speaks at the Korean War Memorial wreath laying ceremony.

Special Agent for VA Secretary Denis R. McDonough, Kirk D. James

Gold Star Mother Lee-Ann Forsythe, National Service Officer lived streamed Saturday's events.

American Gold Star Mothers National President Jo Ann Maitland points out the name of George Vaughn Seibold who is “still missing” from World War I and is the Son of the founder of the American Gold Star Mothers Grace Darling Seibold.

Brian Willette, VFW National Sergeant at Arms

Many questions along the way were asked of VA Secretary Denis R. McDonough.

Every time you see this Star, It Means the Sacriface of a Lifetime!

Some Honor Flight greeters with our Gold Star Moms

Syracus New York Honor Flight guest Michael Giannico, Korean War Vet with his daughter Anna and VA Secretary Denis R. McDonough

Gold Star Mother Joyce Paulse, Flag Guard speaks as we arrive at the World War II Memorial

Patti Elliott, National Secretary speaks at the World War II wreath laying ceremony.

Gold Star Mother Sarah Taylor, 1st Vice President along with Diane Jacobus, board member of the Amercian Gold Star Home and Manor.

Gold Star Parents Jean & Rick Uffalussy

Some Gold Star Mother Nurses!

Gold Star Mother Pam Stemple, 2nd Vice President speaks at the "Hart" Three Soldiers statue.

A check was presented to Gold Star Mothers Jo Ann Maitland and Janice Chance

Gold Star Mother Georgie Carter-Krell and Gunny Slagle with Gold Mother Wreath at Vietnam Wall

Syracus New York Honor Flight guest Arthur Paradise WWII US Army Air Corps with Gold Star Mother PNP Georgie Carter-Krell

At 11 AM there was a wreath laying ceremony at the apex of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Gold Star Mothers Wreath laying ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial then on to Arlington Section 60 for a time of reflection for the War on Terror heroes.

MARINE Pfc Bruce W Carter MEDAL OF HONOR VIETNAM

Georgie Carter-Krell and Gunny Slagle at Pfc Bruce W Carter MEDAL OF HONOR VIETNAM headstone for the first time. Semper Fidelis

Steven Ward, Gold Star Father of L/Cpl Eric Levi Ward

Saturday evenings Gold Star Mothers Banquet at Patton Hall, Fort Myer.

Kim Mitchell was the guest speaker at Saturday evenings Gold Star Banquet at Patton Hall, Ft. Myer

Patricia Elliott, National Secretary was the 2021 recipient of the Grace Darling Seibold Scholarship Award.

Jack McManus, Vietnam Veterans of America presented two checks to Gold Star Mothers

Marine Gunny Slagle with Gold Star Mother PNP Georgie Carter-Krell

Jo Ann Maitland , Gold Star Mothers National President and Family

Sunday at 12:15 PM Gold Star Mothers Wreath Laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Gold Star Mother’s Day is observed in the United States on the last Sunday of September each year. It is a day for people to recognize and honor those who have lost a son or daughter while serving the United States Armed Forces.

On Gold Star Mothers Sunday National President Jo Ann Maitland along with her daughter Stephanie were honored to place a wreath at the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier.

TAPS are played to end the wreath laying ceremony.

MOTHER'S TREE - A White Birch – Bertula Laciniate, planted May 8, 1932.

Richard Azzaro, Founder, Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier explains to American Gold Star National President JoAnn Maitland the story of Sergeant Edward Younger, the man given the task of making the selection, carried a spray of eleven white roses, “Society’s Never Forget Bouquet”, with which to mark the chosen casket.

According to the official account, Younger “entered the chamber in which the bodies of the four Unknown Soldiers lay, circled the caskets three times, then silently placed the flowers on the third casket from the left. He faced the body, stood at attention and saluted.”

Presentation of Colors

VVA Chapter 67 Color Guard of Delaware County, PA has always been there for our Gold Star Mothers.

Our National Anthem is played.

Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation by Gold Star Mother National Chaplain Elaine Brattain

Jo Ann Maitland , Gold Star Mothers National President ~ Welcome and Recognition of Veterans & Gold Star Families

General Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Presidential Proclamation read by Gold Star Mother Patti Elliott, National Secretary

Richard Azzaro, Founder, Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
speaks about the upcoming ceremonies to honor the one hundredth anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Introduction of Keynote Speaker by Jo Ann Maitland, Gold Star Mothers National President

Keynote Speaker General Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.