Back to Military Life

Paying tribute

Gold Star Wives Yacht Cruise and Luncheon pays tribute to wives and chapter president

President of the Tahoma Gold Star Wives, Arlene Murray, releases four doves to pay one last tribute to her chapter members during a White Dove Release Ceremony, before stepping down from her position as chapter president in June. Photo credit: Gary Lott

Email Article Print Article Share on Facebook Share on Reddit Share on StumbleUpon

There may be a lot that is unknown about military families and specifically, the Gold Star Community, but thanks, in part, to the drive of one individual and her chapter, that uncertainty is being erased.

"Casualties of war don't just happen in the battlefield, so being able to honor that service and honor the work that has been done through the Gold Star Wives program is something that is very special to all of us," said Washington Department of Veterans Affairs Director, Alfie Alvarado-Ramos.

A Gold Star Wives Appreciation Event and Farewell for Gold Star Wives Tahoma Chapter President, Arlene Murray, took place under clear skies and 70-degree weather at the Tacoma Yacht Club on April 9.  

The National Gold Star Wives Day was earlier that same week on April 5.

Gold Star Wives are the wives that are left behind when a servicemember is killed in action.

Children who are left behind are called Gold Star Kids, while the mothers of these servicemembers lost in duty are named Gold Star Moms.

"When the ultimate in uncertainty occurs, when that servicemember is met with a worst-case scenario, death or perhaps injury, or even a mental factor, that ultimate uncertainty to the military remains," said Lt. Col. John (Andy) McQuade, deputy chief of staff for Joint Base Lewis-McChord, speaking on military commanders potentially being unaware of the exact day-to-day activities/mental state of a given servicemember.

Local area chapters are formed throughout the Nation to assist as a peer-mentoring group, to aid with the planning and logistics for various Gold Star events that take place in the state, or region, throughout the year and more.

A chapter president is typically in charge for the vision, or direction, of the particular group, and helps to expand possibilities as well as to plan numerous outreaching opportunities as a spokesperson, as well as an entire group.

"It is you ladies that carry forward; it is you ladies that chip away that uncertainty and carry forward with certainty," said Lt. Col. McQuade.  "You put that risk behind you and you come together, just as those listed amongst the many "Circle of Friends" partners listed in today's event program have come together in support of Gold Star Wives."

On behalf of JBLM and I Corps, Lt. Col. McQuade was present at the ceremony to honor dozens of Gold Star Wives with various awards, and was also on-hand to reinforce the importance of this group amongst JBLM.

There was a reoccurring message of the strength and resilience required to carry on after an ultimate sacrifice takes place.

"I have to tip my hat to you ladies today, because it is you ladies that carry us forward, it is you ladies that carry forward the military, frankly, you carry forward the unit, and the military family units," said Lt. Col. McQuade.

Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Director, Alfie Alvarado-Ramos, took a break from issuing certificates with Lt. Col. McQuade to present a WDVA agency coin to the Gold Star Chapter President Arlene Murray, but wanted to assure the wives that they would still have a "champion proponent in the WDVA always".

"I wanted to make sure that you know how much your Washington Department of Veterans Affairs appreciates you for all that you do," said Alvarado-Ramos.  "We have made a commitment to support you and to make sure that you have the benefits and services that you have earned."

The WDVA director went on to inform the group that her state agency's support would not end with the current president's tenure ending in June.

"You have your own dedicated go-to-man in our agency, Rafael Lozano, there for you for anything related to Gold Star," said Alvarado-Ramos.  "You have your own dedicated person and he's there to answer any questions that you may have, provide any clarification, field questions on benefits, and that's because of all the work that Arlene has done."

After the awards ceremony concluded and before the group's luxurious cruise under the clear skies and shining sun commenced, Tahoma Chapter President Arlene Murray had some concluding words for all of the attendees.

"As president, it's never been easy," Murray said.  "Whatever organization you may be leading, you just have to realize that if you're in the limelight, and you can't do it right, and you can't do it wrong, you just have to do the best that you can do."

On-hand at the appreciation luncheon was former Washington State and Northwest Regional Gold Star Wives President Lillian Hicks, at the spry age of 90, to receive an appreciation certificate, but also to pay tribute.

"I almost backed out at the last minute but then thought to myself, "NO, I can't do that to these ladies, I'm gonna go," said Lillian Hicks.  "I just want to say thank you to everyone in here, and it's been great to have so many of you come back to talk to me."

After the luncheon ceremony and a special four-bird releasing ceremony (often done at funeral ceremonies) took place, the wives and event attendees boarded several boats to cruise up and down the Puget Sound.

Read next close

Travel

Playing with local history

comments powered by Disqus