Take a moment to read these names:
-Cpl. Bryan Richardson, United States Marine Corps, died March 25, 2005 in Iraq;
-Lance Cpl. Adam Johnson Crumpler, United States Marine Corps, died June 18, 2005 in Iraq;
-Staff Sgt. Robert F. White, United States Army 82nd Airborne, died September 2005 in Afghanistan. His brother, Cpl. Andrew R. White, United States Marine Corps, served in Iraq, died upon return home;
-Staff Sgt. Jeremy Brown, United States Army, died June 3, 2005 in Iraq;
-Petty Officer Third Class Heath Shilling, United States Navy, died 2001;
-Sgt. First Class Jamie Nicholas, United States Army Green Beret, died Sept. 29, 2008 in Afghanistan;
-Petty Officer First Class Jeffrey Scott Taylor, United States Navy Seal, died June 28, 2005 in Afghanistan;
-Staff Sergeant Robert “Rob” Cunningham, WV Army National Guard, died July 12, 2018 by post-traumatic stress disorder suicide.
These are just some of West Virginia’s fallen soldiers who were honored during a special ceremony held for Gold Star families by the LZ Rainelle West Virginia Veterans’ Reunion and City National Bank in Rainelle on Saturday, November 13.
The ceremony took place following the decoration of the Christmas “Honor and Remember Tree” which may be viewed inside the bank until the New Year. The Christmas tree includes ornaments featuring photos and names of more than 50 West Virginia soldiers who died while serving their country.
The annual ceremony is a special time for West Virginia Gold Star families because it gives them a chance to honor their children and unite with others who can understand the pain of their loss.
“We always enjoy coming to Rainelle because we have such a good time here, and today is no exception,” Gold Star Mothers West Virginia Chapter President, and mother of Rob Cunningham, Terry Cunningham said during the ceremony. She added that while the mothers enjoy the work they do, they are not “happy with how they got here.”
She explained that Gold Star Mothers was originally founded in 1928 by Grace Darling Seibold who had lost her son, George, in service as he was flying for the Royal Air Force during World War I.
According to information provided on the official Gold Star Mothers website, Seibold “realizing that self-contained grief is self-destructive, devoted her time and efforts to . . .extend the hand of friendship to other mothers whose sons had lost their lives in military service.” She organized a group of mothers to comfort each other and provide care to hospitalized veterans “in government hospitals far from home.”
“The organization was named after the Gold Star that families hung in their windows in honor of the deceased veteran,” the website states.
Today, the organization, founded by Seibold, continues to provide comfort to thousands of families nationwide.
“As long as we can do something to honor our children, all is not in vain,” Cunningham said. “We say in our lives that you die two times. The first time is a physical death and the second time is when no one says their name anymore.”
“I can only think of when our heavenly father sent his son to be a sacrifice for us,” Cunningham concluded. “Thank you for allowing us to share our children with you this holiday season.”
Assisting LZ Rainelle and City National Bank during the ceremony were members of Greenbrier West JROTC and singer Deidre Marshall.
Following the ceremony, Gold Star families traveled to Greenbrier West High School where they were served a special lunch provided by culinary arts students.
Many of those in attendance commended the students for an excellent meal.
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