Saturday, February 13, 2016 –
LONG BEACH, CALIF. - The survivors of fallen service members deserve our nation’s love and remembrance. The close relatives of fallen service members are known as the American Gold Star Families. On Feb. 13, 2016, several of these families, who have already given more than anyone should ever have to, joined together to connect with each other, and to write personal Valentine’s Day letters to their fallen family member and to other American Gold Star Families.
Raena Granberry, the Southern California Region Survivor Outreach Services Support Coordinator, organized this second annual Valentine’s Day event to honor and celebrate lost service members through expressions of love at the American Gold Star Manor, Long Beach, California. She said, "We appreciate the families and the sacrifice they’ve made. We want to honor their service member."
In addition to writing letters, the families each shared intimate stories about their fallen service member. Understandably, several family members became very emotional as they related their cherished memories. The families listened to one another tell about some of the favorite activities of their lost loved ones.
Lt. Col. Bettina Avent and Maj. Mark Cisco, chaplain, both of the Army Reserve's 79th Sustainment Support Command, enjoyed the privilege of joining the American Gold Star Families. Cisco opened and closed the event with an invocation and benedictions focused on the Gold Star Families. Avent shared her own feelings about losing a close friend in combat and showed her gratitude to the families. Avent quoted the Bible, saying, "There is no greater love than one who lays down his life."
Avent said she hopes this annual event will grow, “When Soldiers are deployed, many organizations and people show support by mailing care packages and letters. We want to do something similar. Every February, we plan to write letters to the families of the fallen to create an outpouring of support to honor the families of the Soldiers who showed the greatest love by laying down their life in service to our nation. We also want to give survivors an opportunity to share memories of their loved one.”
Survivor Outreach Services is a program under the Army Reserve Family Programs which provides support to all American Gold Star Families, no matter the service or component of the fallen loved one. Granberry's office is in the West Los Angeles Army Reserve Center. She can be reached at 310-235-4289 or raena.m.granberry.ctr@mail.mil.
Jason Thomas, a financial advisor for Survivor Outreach Services provides long term support for surviving Families of Fallen Soldiers gave a presentation on benefits for families. His services are available to survivors for life. Thomas' office is in the West Los Angeles, California, Army Reserve Center. He can be reached at 310-231-4668 or jason.e.thomas103.ctr@mail.mil.
If you are interested in participating or helping with future events contact your unit Survivor Outreach Services coordinator or visit http://www.arfp.org/sosoplovelettersb.php
For more information about the one-of-a-kind American Gold Star Manor visit http://www.goldstarmanor.org/
Representatives from the 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and the 79th Sustainment Support Command Child and Youth Services Offices, the American Red Cross, and the Health Services Representative from Veterans Affairs also attended the event to inform families of their services.
The event concluded with the participants pledging to rally together next year for such a noble and worthy cause.
"We want to create a support network of like-minded families," said Granberry.