It was a cold damp Sunday but it was also Gold Star Mothers Sunday 2023.

Here in Arlington’s Section 60 rest many of the Global War on Terror Heroes.

Marine Raider GySgt. Diego D. Pongo was killed in action on March 8, 2020 while accompanying Iraqi Security Forces in North Central Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Pendleton. His unit deployed to Kabul to support evacuation efforts. Taylor Hoover served in the Marines for 11 years and was on his third tour in Afghanistan when he was killed.

He died after a suicide bomber detonated explosives outside Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport Kabul, Afghanistan. 26 Aug 2021 in Kabul, Afghanistan. He was 31. Darin was engaged to Nicole and planned to be married when he returned from Afghanistan.

That the last Sunday in September shall hereafter be designated and known as “Gold Star Mothers Day,” as proclaimed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, September 14, 1940.

Gold Star Mothers await the start of their wreath laying ceremony.

Gold Star Mothers National President Pam Stemple looks towards the Tomb Guard Sentinels as they enter walk area.

Changing of the guard then a salute to the unknown

The Gold Star Mothers wreath is brought into the walk area along with the bugler

General Mark A. Milley, 20th Chairman Joint Chiefs Of Staff, American Gold Star Mothers National President Pam Stemple, General Daniel R. Hokanson who serves as the 29th Chief of the National Guard Bureau and Phil Stemple await the start of wreath laying

Presenting the wreath were American Gold Star Mothers National President Pam Stemple and her husband Phil Stemple and 20th Chairman Joint Chiefs Of Staff General Mark A. Milley along with General Daniel R. Hokanson who serves as the 29th Chief of the National Guard Bureau and as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

TAPS are played

Gold Star Mother Lee-Ann Forsythe, National IT Chair leads the procession to the “Mother’s Tree”

Hollyanne Milley walks with National President Pam Stemple to the Mother’s Tree.

National President Pam Stemple carried a spray of white roses, “Society’s Never Forget Bouquet”, escorted to the Mother’s Tree by her husband Phil Stemple.

Gold Star Mother Lee-Ann Forsythe, National IT Chair, Patti Elliott, National 1st Vice President, Hollyanne Milley along with husband General Mark A. Milley move up to lay their white rose at the Mother’s tree

A final prayer and salute

General Daniel R. Hokanson leads this salutte

American Gold Star Mothers National President Pam Stemple is the proud Mother of SFC Tomas L. Avey. Military branch: United States Army.

Date of birth: 2-9-1981. Date of death: 3-29-2015

In 2000, Avey enlisted in the 45th Infantry Brigade (Thunderbirds), Oklahoma Army National Guard. He served three deployments to Afghanistan and was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device for Valor and an Oak Leaf Cluster (second award) to his Bronze Star. Avey died on March 29, 2015 in Columbus, Georgia, while on temporary duty at nearby Ft. Benning. His passing was due to heart failure brought on by prolonged complications from wounds suffered during his multiple deployments to Afghanistan. He is survived by wife Dana and daughter Isabel Rain.

Mother’s Tree
White Birch ~ Betula Laciniate
Planted May 8, 1932
In Honor
Of The Mother Of The Unknown Soldier