On a bright sunny morning 'The Wall' just having been washed it was now time for the Gold Star Mother's wreath laying ceremony.

Sunday, September 30, 2012, 8:00 AM - Vietnam Wall Wreath Laying with visit to Arlington National Cemetery, Section 60, immediately following.

‘A Veteran is someone who wrote a blank check, payable to the United States of America for an amount up to and including his or her own life’

Cindy Hardegree Kruger, Sergeant-At-Arms leads the Moms down to the apex of the 'The Wall'

Mary Byers 2012-2013 Gold Star Mother National President with Terry Geiling the President / CEO of the American Gold Star Home / Manor

Lloyd Byers leads the prayer and remembrance service.

The Gold Star Mother's

The Gold Star Mother's and Gold Star Family members.

Sculptor Frederick Hart's statue grouping has been called both The Three Soldiers and The Three Servicemen. The men are wearing Vietnam War era uniforms and could be from any branch of the U.S. military at that time. Interpretations of the work vary widely. Some say the troops have the "thousand yard stare" of combat soldiers. Others say the troops are on patrol and begin looking for their own names as they come upon the Memorial.

72nd Anniversary of Gold Star Mother's Day

American Gold Star Mother visiting with her son in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery

Captain Christopher J. Sullivan, 29, of Princeton, Massachusetts, died January 18, 2005, in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his parked vehicle. Sullivan was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Vietnam Gold Star Mother Emogene M. Cupp

Karen and Morrill Worcester, owners of Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine, started Wreaths Across America Day in 1992 came to Arlington National Cemetery today to pay tribute to the American Gold Star Mother's.

The VVA Chapter 67 Color Guard of Delaware County.

Gold Star Mother National President Mary Byers with LTC. Stevenson and Arlington National Cemetery Executive Director Kathryn Condon

U.S. Army Brass Quintet

Veterans of Foreign Wars National Guard

Gold Star Mother Marcy Cote' the National Flag guard leads in the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Guard

The presentation of the Professional Joint Armed Forces Colors.

Then our National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance to Our Nations Flag.

Gold Star Mother 2nd Vice-President Jennifer Jackman leads the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Invocation was lead by Milam Byers.

Gold Star Mother Jennifer Jackman, 2nd Vice-President, gave recognition to the Gold Star Families and Veterans.

The Presidential Proclamation was read by Jared Byers.

Gold Star Mother National President Mary Byers gives her President's message to the audience.

Gold Star Mother Jennifer Jackman recognizing Vietnam Gold Star Mother Emogene M. Cupp

Terry Geiling and Ward Nickisch standing as Veterans in attendance are recognized.

Milam Byers led us in the final Benediction.

Gold Star Mother Marcy Cote' proudly carrying the Stars and Stripes while retiring the Colors.

Kevin Secor, VSO Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs with Gold Star Mother President Mary Byers.

It is considered one of the highest honors to serve as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Fewer than 20 percent of all volunteers are accepted for training and of those only a fraction pass training to become full-fledged Tomb Guards.

The changing of the Guard took place just before the wreath laying ceremonies began.

The Byers family is escorted to the wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

The American Gold Star Mothers Home - 2128 Leroy Place, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008-1893 - 202-265-0991 www.goldstarmoms.com

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. A federally chartered nonprofit organization comprises Mothers who lost a son or daughter during a major U.S. conflict, strategic military area, or while in service to the United States. Its chapters work to perpetuate the ideals of Americanism for which their children so gallantly fought and died.

Veterans of Foreign Wars National Guard

An Open House followed the days ceremonies at Gold Star Mother's National Headquarters