Gold Star Mothers Weekend 2015 started off with prayers and a wreath laying ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The Wall.

That the last Sunday in September shall hereafter be designated and known as “Gold Star Mothers Day,” and it shall be the duty of the President to request its observance as provided for in this resolution.” Proclamation by the President Franklin D. Roosevelt of the United States, September 14, 1940.

Specialist Fourth Class Allen Francis Keating from Cohasset, Massachusetts. Light Weapons Infantry Army with the 4th Infantry Division C Co 2nd Battalion 8th Infantry. Government archival records show as a casualty on 10/19/1969 in South Vietnam.

Just before the wreath laying along came a group of World War II Veterans on an Honor Flight from California.

That's Teddy Westlake being wheeled by Honor Flight WWII Veteran Frank M. Carli from San Francisco. Frank was a Navy SeeBee, landing on Iwo Jima.

Gold Star Mothers Chaplain Ann Davis leads everyone in prayer.

Gold Star Mothers 2015-2016 National Executive Board

Then there was a visit to Arlington National Cemetery and Section 60 where many of the casualties of the War On Terror from Iraq and Afghanistan now rest.
CSA Mark Milley pays his respects at the grave of Marine Sergeant Michael Vernon Lalush

Cindy Kruger GSM National President spends a few quite moments with her only son, Michael.

Michael C. Hardegree best friend and service buddy comforts Gold Star Mother Cindy Kruger and Gold Star Mother Jo Ann Maitland.

This is my Brother that I Love and Miss.

Michael your memory is our keepsake, with which we will never part. God has you in his keeping, we have you in our hearts.

Gold Star Mother Mona Gunn knells at the grave of 2nd Class Petty Officer Mark A. Mayo.
Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Petty Officer Mark A. Mayo was killed by civilian Jeffery Tyrone Savage. Mayo was performing duties as the chief of the guard at Naval Station Norfolk at the time. Officials say Savage was allowed access onto the base at around 11:30 p.m. and Mayo followed him up the brow of the USS Mahan. Watch standers told him to stop and show an ID but he failed to comply.
Savage got onto the ship and attacked and disarmed the Petty Officer of the Watch on the Quarterdeck. To protect his shipmate, Mayo shielded the Petty Officer and was fatally shot. Savage was then shot and killed by watch standers. He died at the scene.

Gold Star Mothers posed for a photo at a tree that had been planted in their honor in Arlington National Cemetery

Candy Martin, GSM 1st Vice President and her husband Ed at the Gold Star Mothers tree.

A number of the Gold Star Mothers paid a visit to Rock Creek Cemetery and the grave site of their founder Grace Darling Siebold.

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. established in 1928 and chartered by the United States Congress in 1984. American Gold Star Mothers continue to honor our sons and daughters through service -- service to veterans and patriotic events.

A group burial service took place on March 18, 2015 at Arlington National Cemetery to honor World War II crew members lost when their bomber was shot down in the South Pacific Theater more than 70 years ago.
The airmen took off from Texter Strip, Nazdab Air Field, New Guinea, on April 10, 1944, on a mission to attack a Japanese anti-aircraft site at Hansa Bay in New Guinea's Madang Province, according to a Defense Department news release. Four managed to parachute from the ill-fated B-24D Liberator when it took on fire, but they reportedly died in captivity. The others were reported missing.
1st Lt. William D. Bernier of Augusta, MT., 1st Lt. Bryant E. Poulsen of Salt Lake City., UT. 1st Lt. Herbert V. Young Jr. of Clarkdale, AZ., Tech Sgt. Charles L. Johnston of Pittsburgh, PA, Tech Sgt. Hugh F. Moore of Elkton, MD., Staff Sgt. John E. Copeland of Dearing, KS., Staff Sgt. Charles J. Jones of Athens, GA., Sgt. Charles A. Gardner of San Francisco, CA.

Scientists from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency used circumstantial evidence and forensic identification tools, including mitochondrial DNA, to identify six of the airmen – Jones, Johnston, Gardner, Young, Moore and Bernier, according to the news release. "To account for Poulsen and Copeland, scientists from DPAA used circumstantial evidence that placed them on the aircraft and accounted for as them as part of the group," the release said.
Young, Moore and Gardner were buried in 2014 with full military honors. Jones was laid to rest in his hometown and Johnston at Arlington.

Hero and Husband
SPC Carlos M. Santos-Silva
Section 60-9150
“12/25/1997: Carlos & Kristen = Solepartners Found Forever
Love You, Miss You, Till We Talk Again 23, Kristen”
“Dad, I Miss You Gaming Partner, Always Your Son Cameron”

Staff Sgt. Florich, a fallen Louisiana National Guardsman, was one of 11 servicemen killed when a Black Hawk helicopter crashed during training off the coast of Florida on March 10, 2015.
At first his family was denied his burial at Arlington National Cemetery but Secretary of the Army John McHugh ordered that Florich be permitted to be buried at the cemetery.

Cindy Kruger GSM National President and her daughter present wreath to be laid at the Tomb of the Unknonws.

Veterans of Foreign Wars National Honor Guard

United States Army Brass Quintet

Delaware County VVA Chapter 67 Honor Guard

Presentation of the Colors by the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard

Gold Star Mothers Chaplain Ann Davis with the invocation.

Welcome and Recognition of Gold Star Families and Veterans by Candy Martin, GSM 1st Vice President

Greetings from the National President Cindy Kruger

Introduction of Keynote Speaker LTG David Halverson, Assistant Chief Staff for Installation Management and Commanding General, Installation Management Command.

Keynote Speaker LTG David Halverson.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert O. Work and his wife greet Vietnam Gold Star Mothers
Emogene M. Cupp and Terri Davis

Keynote Speaker LTG David Halverson with Gold Star Mother Jo Ann Maitland

Ward Nickisch and friends.