‘The whole family feels it’: Fishers fundraising for Gold Star Families Memorial to honor those affected by loss of a veteran

0
CIF COVER 0330 gold star1
From left, Chadd Cranfill, a United States Navy veteran and American Legion Post 470 member; Brad DeReamer, Fishers City Council member and Indiana National Guard veteran; Jim O’Meara, a U.S. Army veteran and American Legion Post 470 member; Dave Cohen, a Sons of the American Legion member; Fishers Public Works Assistant Director Eric Steiner; and El Ahlwardt, a U.S. Navy veteran during a check presentation from the American Legion Post 470. (Photo by Anna Skinner)

The City of Fishers has celebrated veterans for many years, conducting ceremonies for Veterans Day, Memorial Day and other veteran-related events, but council member Brad DeReamer said one thing the city has neglected to do is honor those who have lost a veteran.

That is changing with the installation of a Gold Star Memorial in front of City Hall, 1 Municipal Dr.

“We’ve neglected the people who were affected by the loss of a veteran,” DeReamer said. “The Woody Williams Foundation started the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument for all families, not just a mother or spouse but for brothers and sisters, daughters, friends, cousins.”

There are 79 Gold Star memorials in the United States with another 78 planned. So far, there are four in Indiana.

DeReamer and George Stavropoulos, a Fishers resident and Vietnam veteran who received four Purple Hearts and a Silver Star, approached Mayor Scott Fadness about installing a Gold Star Memorial in the city.

“(The mayor) said, ‘Great,’ so we put together a committee,” DeReamer said.

DeReamer, who previously served as the mayor of Greenfield, established a park for veterans in Greenfield. When he moved to Fishers, he realized there was already the Liberty Plaza honoring veterans. Then he learned about the Woody Williams Foundation and thought it would be appropriate if the city could have a Gold Star Families Memorial in Fishers.

“We (previously) really didn’t honor the survivors of the veterans, but they’re just as important because they have to deal with that death for the rest of their lives,” DeReamer said.

Fishers IN Etching proofs
A rendering of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument to be installed in Fishers. (Submitted photo)

The memorial will be dedicated on Memorial Day, May 31. Before then, the city wants to raise the $60,000 to complete the project. So far, it has raised approximately $30,000. It plans to raise all of the money by donations by Memorial Day.

“One way or another, the city will ensure this is a done deal,” Deputy Mayor Elliot Hultgren said.

Recently, American Legion Post 470, its Ladies Auxiliary and the its Sons of the American Legion, all in Fishers, donated $2,750 to the project.

Fishers resident and veteran El Ahlwardt said that when someone serves in the military, their whole family makes a sacrifice.

“Nobody serves in the military without a family serving in the military,” Ahlwardt said. “The service member is frequently perceived as, ‘That’s the person serving in the military, but the dad, mom, brother, sister, spouse, they’re all serving on the home front. When somebody who is serving gives their life, the whole family feels it.”

Before Gold Star Families, there was a Gold Star Moms recognition. But Ahlwardt said he was approached by the father of a veteran who was killed while serving and asked why there was no recognition for Gold Star Dads.

“I was literally asked at a Memorial Day ceremony, ‘What about me?’” Ahlwardt said. “‘I’m a Gold Star Dad,’ but there wasn’t a moment of, ‘Oh, no, we screwed up, it was a moment of conviction. A Gold Star Dad came up and he was grieving.”

That helped ignite the spark to invest in a Gold Star Families monument so all family members could have a memorial dedicated to them. Two benches also will be installed around the monument.

During the dedication, the city will recognize any Gold Star Families who wish to be recognized. For those who have lost a veteran during their service, contact Ahlwardt at [email protected].

To donate, visit https://fishersparks.org/fishers-gold-star-families-monument/

The Woody Williams Foundation

The Woody Williams Foundation, based in Louisville, Ky., is a nonprofit responsible for promoting, creating and implementing Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments in communities across the United States.

“These efforts are focused to provide a space the Gold Star Families can call their own in honor of their loved ones and their family,” the website states.

The nonprofit also organizes Gold Star Family outreach programs and awards scholarships to eligible Gold Star children.

The organization’s mission is “to honor, recognize, and serve Gold Star Families and the legacy of their Loved Ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

The Woody Williams Foundation is named after Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Hershel Woody Williams. Williams is the sole surviving Marine from World War II awarded the Medal of Honor. According to the Woody Williams Foundation website, Williams came into direct contact with families from his community when he delivered telegrams informing Gold Star families of the death of their loved one. His experience brought forth the creation of the Woody Williams Foundation.


Current Morning Briefing Logo

Stay CURRENT with our daily newsletter (M-F) and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox for free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Share.

Current Morning Briefing Logo

Stay CURRENT with our daily newsletter (M-F) and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox for free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact