By Anthony Gorges
JC Post
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall’s office, along with the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, will honor Kansas Gold Star Families with a trip to Washington D.C. for Memorial Day. Four Gold Star families will be in D.C. for the re-dedication of the First Division Monument that honors fallen soldiers from the First Infantry Division.
Tyler Mason, a Military Affairs Liason for Senator Roger Marshall’s office, said, “The whole purpose of this trip is to pay it forward to those families who gave it their all and to show them that we appreciate them and their sacrifices.”
The Gold Star families will fly out of Kansas City on Saturday, May 25, and spend Memorial Day weekend in D.C.
On Saturday night, the Junction City Military Affairs Council and Economic Development will provide a dinner for the Gold Star families at Clyde’s Gallery Place in Washington D.C., and in attendance for the dinner, with the Gold Star Families will be Major General John V. Meyer III, Division Command Sergeant Major Derek Noyes, from the First Infantry Division, and Lieutenant General (Retired) Ron Watts from the Society of the First Infantry Division.
Isreal Waddell, the Director of the Junction City Military Affairs Council, expressed the importance of recognizing Gold Star Families. “Behind every Gold Star Family is a story of sacrifice, resilience, and love,” Waddell said.“Serving Gold Star Families isn’t just an act of gratitude: it is a testament to our enduring commitment to honor, cherish, and remember those who have given everything for our freedom.”
On Sunday, the Gold Star Families will meet up with Senator Roger Marshall and attend the re-dedication of the First Division Monument that honors fallen soldiers from the First Infantry Division. In addition to 12,947 names, The Society of the First Infantry Division will unveil 631 new names on the monument.
Senator Marshall, a veteran, spoke of the importance of honoring these families and soldiers. “It’s important to the active duty soldiers just to see that their Senator cares,” Marshall said. “You can tell people that you care, but this is a way to show the soldiers, past and present, that I do care.”
Following the re-dedication ceremony, Senator Marshall will take the Gold Star families on a private tour of the capital building.
Christine Benne, the Military Relations Coordinator at the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, raised the necessary funds to make this trip happen. Benne secured funding through some grants that she had written, including a $25,000 grant from the McCormick Foundation. The funds raised will cover airfare, hotels, and the commute from Fort Riley to the airport in Kansas City.
The Gold Star Families fly to D.C. on Saturday, May 25, and will return on Memorial Day.