Togetherness Tuesday

Honoring Gold Star Families at the state capitol of Kansas in Topeka

​Department: Kansas
Chapter: Sunflower

​The state of Kansas held an event for all the Gold Star Families Sept 25, 2025 to honor and remember our loved ones who died in the service. The American Gold Star moms represent Northeast, Sunflower, and Wichita chapters of Kansas.


​



Back row: Jennifer Jackman, Nancy Machnicki, Sandy Nettleton, Terri Norgren, Pat Proctor, State Representative for Kansas first row: Laura Kelly, Governor of Kansas, Deb Austin and Karen Funcheon

---

NM Honor Guard Awards

Department: NM
Chapter: Albuquerque

Our NM Honor Guard provides training and competition for state-wide volunteer honor guards who provide services at veteran funerals. The Honor Guard has asked that the NM Gold Star Mothers provide six special awards to those achieving 75 honors. Two NM Gold Star Mothers presented the awards on 9/22/25. Pictured AGSM's are Kay Coleman and Shirley Tetreault.

---

Gold Star Mother's Day Ft. Eustis

​Department: Virginia
Chapter: Hampton Roads

On Sunday September 28th Gold Star Mothers and Family Day was recognized at Ft. Eustis, Virginia. Old City BBQ catered the event with the USO providing fabulous desserts at the USO Building on base. Many Commanders, USO Volunteers, and guests showed up to a nice, shared luncheon with entertainment and games with goodies passed out to all. Pictured l to r: Barbara Newton, Laurie Miner and Robert Miner.

---

Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Post 521 Auxiliary Gold Star Mother’s and family’s Day Ceremony Owings Mills, Maryland September 28, 2025

​Department: Maryland/Delaware
Chapter: MD

The members of the VFW post 521 Auxiliary held a special ceremony on Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day. Gold Star Mothers Maryland Chapter members Donna Robinson and Janice Chance along with Charlton Chance Gold Star Stepfather were in attendance. Donna Markus, VFW Auxiliary Secretary, officiated the ceremony. She recognized and honored the heroes connected to the VFW 521 Post who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the US military. Heroes honored were Captain Jesse Melton III USMC, son of Janice Chance and her family; Staff Sergeant Damion Campbell, USA, son of Donna Robinson and her family; Edward L. “Butch” Bowers, USA, son of deceased member Betty Moore and brother of member Sue Bowers Freeman and their family; Albert Wingfield, USA, son of deceased member Marion Wingfield and family member Marlene Posteraro; John Latch, USN, son of deceased member Joyce Burchill and brother of member Margaret Elkins and their family; and the family of 2nd Lt Peter G Zouck, USA, who was killed in action in WWI and buried in France. VFW Post 521 is named in honor of Lt. Zouck. Prior to the ceremony the Auxiliary members placed Gold foiled stars inscribed with the name of fallen Heroes and Veterans on the windows in the canteen area. The ceremony was held outdoors in front of the beautiful Gold Star Memorial. After the ceremony, the mothers and families were presented with beautiful floral bouquets. Janice gave brief remarks and expressed thanks to the Auxiliary and Post members for continuing to honor fallen heroes, the families and for their unwavering support of Gold Star families. The Auxiliary is continuing their special project of selling Gold foiled stars to raise funds to maintain the Gold Star Memorial area.

---

Gold Star Mothers and Family’s Day at Mission BBQ Parkville, Maryland September 28, 2025

​Department: Maryland/Delaware
Chapter: MD

The staff at Mission BBQ in Parkville hosted local Gold Star Families at their luncheon on September 28th. Gold Star Mothers Yvonne Green, Rosemarie Ceo and Gold Star Father Garry Green attended. Yvonne’s fellow co-worker, Gwyneth Lewis, who runs 5 and 10k's in honor of her daughter Tee and Eric Houck, was there to support Yvonne and Garry. They were also joined by “Tee” the service dog and her trainer Kevin Simpson from Warrior Canine Connection. Maryland State Senator Carl Jackson also attended. The Gold Star Mothers and families thanked the Parkville Mission BBQ General Manager Sean Egan for his and the crew’s support.

---

Gold Star Families Luminary Ceremony Bridging Life Hospice Care Facility Westminster, Maryland September 28, 2025

​Department: Maryland/Delaware
Chapter: MD

On Gold Star Families Day, Bridging Life held a luminary ceremony. Maryland Gold Star Mother Julie El-Taher spoke for a few minutes. Gold Star Mother and Father Lauren and Matt Seidler were also in attendance. Bikers without Borders performed a formation ride in honor of our fallen. The Carroll County Historical Society also provided names of soldiers from the Civil War, WWI, and WWII. Thank you to Kathy Barna and Gold Star Mother Alison Michalowski for organizing this solemn and moving event. Thank you to Mission BBQ for catering.