With the Iraq War, a New Generation of Gold Star Mothers

Newhouse News Service ^ | 4/14/03 | Delia M. Rios

[Incorrigible]

It was news to me when I read the article as well. Though my father (nearly 80) is a Navy vet and all my uncles served (all came back too), I did not know the significance of the stars.

I decided I would dedicate this thread to the mothers, who make the second greatest sacrifice for our freedom.

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Thu Apr 17,12:50 PM ET USAF Honor Guards escort the horse-drawn caisson funeral procession of USAF Maj. Gregory L. Stone in Arlington National Cemetery outside of Washington, April 17, 2003. Stone was killed by injuries received in Kuwait after a grenade attack on March 23. REUTERS/Larry Downing

Thu Apr 17,12:36 PM ET Tammie Eslinger, fiance of U.S. Air Force Major Gregory L. Stone, places roses on top of the casket containing his body, after a funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery outside of Washington, April 17, 2003. Stone was killed by injuries received in Kuwait after a grenade attack March 23. REUTERS/Larry Downing

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Thu Apr 17, 4:51 PM ET

Dorothy Halvorsen, second from right, mother of Army helicopter pilot Erik Halvorsen who died in Iraq (news - web sites), is escorted from the 2nd Congregtional Church in Bennington, Vt., by retired Navy Capt. Robert Weeks after her son's funeral, Thursday, April 17, 2003. Halvorsen, a warrant officer, was among six soldiers killed when the helicopter they were on went down near Karbala, Iraq, on April 2. The Army is still investigating the cause of the crash but it occurred in an area where ground forces were involvedin heavy combat.(AP Photo/Jim McKnight)

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Thu Apr 17, 3:54 PM ET A Marine Honor Guard carries the casket of Marine Lance Cpl. Michael J. Williams prior to his funeral Thursday, April 17, 2003 in Phoenix. Williams, 31, a 60mm mortar forward observer with the 2nd Expeditionary Brigade from Camp Lejeune, N.C., was killed near Nasiriyah, Iraq (news - web sites) in March when his unit was ambushed after being lost in a sand storm.(AP Photo/Matt York)

Thu Apr 17, 5:24 PM ET Sandy Watson, left, mother of Marine Lance Cpl. Michael J. Williams, and Williams' fiance, Heather Strange, mourn during a funeral service for Williams at the National Memorial Cemetery in north Phoenix. Williams, 31, died on March 23 while his unit attempted to secure a bridgehead southeast of Nasiriyah. (AP Photo/Cheryl Evans, Pool)

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Fri Apr 18, 1:42 AM ET A photo of U.S. Marine First Sgt. Edward Smith is displayed at the altar as a Marine color guard removes the casket of Smith following funeral services April 17, 2003 at Camp Pendleton, California. Smith died on April 5 in Doha, Qatar, from wounds suffered a daily earlier while battling enemy forces in central Iraq (news - web sites), according to the Defense Department. He was the highest-ranking enlisted Marine to die in the war in Iraq. REUTERS/Lenny Ignelzi/Pool

Fri Apr 18, 1:41 AM ET Sandra Smith, wife of slain U.S. Marine 1st Sgt. Edward C. Smith, wipes her tears as her oldest son, Nathan, 12, rests his head on her shoulder during funeral services April 17, 2003, at Camp Pendleton, California. Smith, a Gulf War (news - web sites) veteran and reserve officer with the Anaheim Police Dept., who hoped to join the police force full-time upon his return from duty in Iraq (news - web sites), died on April 5 from wounds suffered during combat in central Iraq. He was the highest-ranking enlisted Marine to die in the war in Iraq. REUTERS/Lenny Ignelzi/Pool

Fri Apr 18, 1:43 AM ET Shelby Smith, 8, left, and her brother, Nathan, 12, watch as the casket of their father, U.S. Marine 1st Sgt. Edward C. Smith, is brought into the chapel at Camp Pendleton, Calif., for funeral services April 17, 2003. Edward Smith died on April 5 from wounds suffered during combat in central Iraq (news - web sites). He was the highest-ranking enlisted Marine to die in the war in Iraq. REUTERS/Lenny Ignelzi/Pool

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The Curtin family is grateful

Sunday, April 20, 2003

Letter to the editor

The family of Cpl. Michael E. Curtin would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire Howell community and to the many considerate persons and organizations throughout the state and nation who have offered their condolences and support. The outpouring of support, generosity and condolences over the loss of Michael has been overwhelming. Although our family has suffered a tremendous loss, we know that you share in our grief and will continue to hold Michael in your thoughts and prayers.

We would especially like to acknowledge the U.S. Army, Father Brendan Williams and the Church of St. Veronica, Robert McGirr and the Clayton and Son Funeral Home, the Howell and Wall Township Police and Fire departments, Sir Ives Caterers and Pathmark of Howell. There are many other organizations and persons too numerous to mention by name but who also have earned our eternal gratitude and appreciation.

-- Joan and Mike Curtin and Family, Howell

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Sat Apr 19, 8:01 PM ET Tina Cline, background center, widow of Marine Lance Cpl. Donald John Cline, follows her husband's casket as it is carried by Marine pallbearers Saturday, April 19, 2003, during funeral services in Sparks, Nev. Cpl. Cline, 21, was killed in action in Iraq (news - web sites) on March 23. (AP Photo/Debra Reid, Pool)

Sat Apr 19, 7:01 PM ET Tina Cline, right, accepts a U.S. flag during the funeral for her husband, Marine Lance Cpl. Donald John Cline, Saturday, April 19, 2003, during services in Sparks, Nev. Cpl. Cline died in combat in Iraq (news - web sites) on March 23. At left is Tina Cline's stepfather, Steve Sweringen. (AP Photo/Debra Reid, Pool)

Sat Apr 19, 8:29 PM ET Dakota Cline, 2, left, and his cousin, Nash Sauers, 3, practice marching and saluting on stage after the funeral for Cline's father, Marine Lance Cpl. Donald John Cline, Saturday, April 19, 2003, in Sparks, Nev. Cpl. Cline, 21, was killed in action in southern Iraq (news - web sites) on March 23. His widow, Tina Cline, said her husband taught the boy military routines. (AP Photo/Debra Reid, Pool)

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Sat Apr 19, 2:57 PM ET A Marine Honor Guard carries the casket of Sgt. Duane Rios out of St. Mary's Church after a funeral mass, in Griffith, Indiana, April 19, 2003. Rios was killed in battle outside Baghdad on April 4, 2003. REUTERS/Frank Polich

Sat Apr 19, 2:57 PM ET Roberta Rios, mother of Marine Sgt. Duane Rios, looks at a picture of her son while holding a U.S. flag after a funeral ceremony outside St. Mary's Church in Griffith, Indiana, April 19, 2003. Rios was killed in battle outside Baghdad on April 4, 2003. REUTERS/Frank Polich

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Sat Apr 19, 5:32 PM ET Corey L. Stewart, a funeral director from the Westhaven Funeral Home in Jackson, Miss., center, directs an honor guard from Fort Polk, La., as they carry the body of Army Spc. Larry K. Brown, of Jackson, Miss., Saturday, April 19, 2003, following a funeral service in Jackson. Brown, 22, was a member of C Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment from Fort Riley, Kan. He was killed in Iraq (news - web sites) on April 5. (AP Photo/Rogelio Solis)

Sat Apr 19, 7:05 PM ET Nicholas Brown, younger brother of Army Spc. Larry K. Brown, of Jackson, Miss., takes a private moment Saturday, April 19, 2003, during his brother's funeral service in Jackson, to say goodbye. Brown, 22, was a member of C Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment from Fort Riley, Kan. He was killed in Iraq (news - web sites), April 5. (AP Photo/Rogelio Solis)

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Mon Apr 21, 2:16 PM ET Marines and soldiers salute as the flag-draped body of Riayan A. Tejeda, a U.S. Marine killed in in Iraq (news - web sites), is placed inside a hearse at the conclusion of a funeral mass for the slain Marine, Monday, April 21, 2003, in the Washington Heights section of New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Mon Apr 21,12:49 PM ET Relatives surround Rafaella del Carmen Tejeda Lora, the mother of Riayan A. Tejeda, U.S. Marine and a Dominican citizen killed in Iraq (news - web sites), at the conclusion of a funeral mass Monday, April 21, 2003, in the Washington Heights section of New York. From left, Tejeda's father Julio Cesar Tejeda, and above, Tejeda's brother Angel. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

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Mon Apr 21, 3:56 PM ET U.S. Army pallbearers carry the casket of Army Staff Sgt. Terry Hemingway for burial at Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, N.J., Monday, April 21, 2003. Hemingway was awarded the the Purple Heart and the Order of the Purple Heart Distinguished Service Award during his funeral at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Willingboro, N.J. Hemingway was killed April 10, 2003, in an apparent suicide attack in Iraq (news - web sites). (AP Photo/Brian Branch-Price

Mon Apr 21, 3:43 PM ET Venetia, Terry William and Danisha Hemingway, from left, lay flowers on their father U.S. Army SSgt. Terry Hemingway's casket while their mother Darlene, second from right, watches at Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, N.J. Monday, April 21, 2003. Hemingway was awarded the Purple Heart and the Order of the Purple Heart Distinguished Service award during his funeral at The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist in Willingboro, N.J. Hemingway was killed April 10, 2003, in an apparent suicide attack in Iraq. Barbara Hawk, a family friend stands at right. (AP Photo/Brian Branch-Price

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Mon Apr 21, 5:36 PM ET Family members of Army Pfc. Jason M. Meyer pause at his casket during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Monday, April 21, 2003. Meyer, 23, of Howell, Mich. was killed April 7 in Iraq (news - web sites). (AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Mon Apr 21, 5:38 PM ET The parents of Army Pfc. Jason M. Meyer react near the casket of their son at during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. on Monday, April 21, 2003. Meyer was killed April 7 in Iraq (news - web sites). (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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Tue Apr 22, 1:28 PM ET A Marine honor guard carries the body of Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew Aviles from St. Patrick Catholic church in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday April 22, 2003, after funeral services. Aviles was killed April 7, in Iraq (news - web sites). (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tue Apr 22, 1:34 PM ET Friends of Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew Aviles weep at his coffin after funeral services at St. Patrick Catholic church Tuesday, April 22, 2003, in Tampa, Fla. Aviles was killed April 7 in Iraq (news - web sites). (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

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Tue Apr 22, 3:27 PM ET An Army honor guard lowers the casket of Army Capt. Tristan Aitken of State College, Pa. during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Tuesday, April 22, 2003. Aitken was killed April 4 during an attack in Iraq (news - web sites). (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Tue Apr 22, 4:01 PM ET Army Brig. Gen. Mark T. Kimmitt, left, presents the United States flag that drapped the casket of Army Capt. Tristan Aitken of State College, Pa. to his widow Maria Forey-Aitken during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Tuesday, April 22, 2003. Aitken was killed April 4 during an attack in Iraq (news - web sites). (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Tue Apr 22, 3:37 PM ET An Air Force honor guard carries the casket of Air Force Staff Sgt. Jason Hicks of Valdosta, Ga. during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Tuesday, April 22, 2003. Hicks died last month during a helicopter resuce effort in Afghanistan (news - web sites). (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Tue Apr 22, 3:33 PM ET Crystalyn Hicks, widow of Air Force Staff Sgt. Jason Hicks of Valdosta, Ga., center rear, and others place flowers on his casket during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Tuesday, April 22, 2003. Hicks died last month during a helicopter rescue effort in Afghanistan (news - web sites). (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Wed Apr 23, 5:06 PM ET U.S. Army Major Richard Crusan, left, holds U.S. flags before handing them to family members while U.S. Army chaplin John Perez, right, salutes at the funeral of U.S. Army Spc. Gil Mercado Roman in Isabela, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, April 23, 2003. Mercado Roman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Iraq (news - web sites). (AP Photo/ Tomas van Houtryve)

Tue Apr 22, 7:38 PM ET Graciela Roman, U.S. Army Spc. Gil Mercado's mother, cries over the American flag covered casket of her son durng his funeral in Isabela, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, April 22, 2003. Mercado, 25, died April 13, said Maj. Steve Stover, an Army spokesman at the Pentagon (news - web sites). An investigation is underway to determine whether Mercado committed suicide or died while cleaning a weapon. (AP Photo/Javier Gonzalez)

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Wed Apr 23, 1:15 PM ET The funeral procession of Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey Bohr is watched by school children holding flags, Wednesday April 23, 2003, in Ossian, Iowa. Bohr died April 10 from two gunshot wounds suffered in a seven-hour battle with pro-Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) forces at the Imam Mosque northwest of Baghdad's city center. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Wed Apr 23, 2:41 PM ET Lori Bohr, left, stands with her father-in-law Edward Bohr, center, following funeral services for her husband Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey Bohr, Wednesday, April 23, 2003, in Ossian, Iowa. Bohr died April 10 from two gunshot wounds suffered in a seven-hour battle with pro-Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) forces at the Imam Mosque northwest of Baghdad's city center. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

[The Right Stuff]

That was the saddest thread I think I have ever seen on FR. The anguish of the families is so sad, the children look so bereft.

I think I will print it out and hand it to every antiwar protester I come across.

[Incorrigible]

It started out with the article that I thought was interesting since I was not familiar with the practice of the Gold Star since all the service members I knew have lived into their 70's.  (My father, a Navy vet, talked me out of joining which I have some regret over)

In one of Diogenesis' threads, I posted the picture of the boy leaving the church, covering his eyes to hide the tears.  I thought to add that to the original comment.  In looking for the second photo of the father at the back of the hearse, I realized there were a many photos of "Gold Star Mothers".  I decided to dedicate this thread to them, the wives and children of those killed in action.

It contrasts somewhat with the fantastic photos of the battlefield combat but it's an important reminder of the supreme sacrifices that our fellow citizens are willing to make so that we remain a free country.  I support our troops and hope that we as a country can live up to what these brave men have died for.

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L-Cpl Stephen, 31, of the 1st Battalion Black Watch, was, in the words of those he left behind, the bravest - the only Scottish soldier to die in the Gulf, killed when an Iraqi militia grenade exploded as he returned enemy fire.

The Saltire-draped casket, adorned with the blue bonnet of the Black Watch, lies at rest.

The Scottish Soldier
There was a soldier, a Scottish soldier
Who wandered far away and soldiered far away
There was none bolder, with good broad shoulder
He's fought in many a fray, and fought and won.
He'd seen the glory and told the story
Of battles glorious and deeds neforious
But now he's sighing, his heart is crying
To leave these green hills of Tyrol.

Because these green hills are not highland hills
Or the island hills, the're not my land's hills
And fair as these green foreign hills may be
They are not the hills of home.

And now this soldier, this Scottish soldier
Who wandered far away and soldiered far away
Sees leaves are falling and death is calling
And he will fade away, in that far land.
He called his piper, his trusty piper
And bade him sound a lay... a pibroch sad to play
Upon a hillside, a Scottish hillside
Not on these green hills of Tyrol.

And so this soldier, this Scottish soldier
Will wander far no more and soldier far no more
And on a hillside, a Scottish hillside
You'll see a piper play his soldier home.
He'd seen the glory, he'd told his story
Of battles glorious and deeds victorious
The bugles cease now, he is at peace now
Far from those green hills of Tyrol.