Gold Star Mothers visit McConnell Air Force Base

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. (AFNS) --  With heavy hearts and a true sense of the meaning of "service before self," eight members from several chapters of the American Gold Star Mothers recently visited here May 4 for a Mother's Day tribute.

The American Gold Star Mothers, a national organization of mothers who have lost a son or daughter in service to the country, not only toured McConnell and learned about its mission, but they also each provided heartfelt accounts of why they joined the group.

"(Being a Gold Star Mother) is like being part of a group that no one wants to be a member of because to be a part of it, you had to suffer the loss of a child," said Anita Dixon, AGSM Wichita Chapter president. "However, we are all honored to be a part of this group and to be able to share our stories with one another."

Mrs. Dixon became a Gold Star Mother in October 2005, when her son, Army Sgt. Evan Parker, was killed in combat.

Despite fighting back tears, Mrs. Dixon spoke candidly of memories of her son to Airmen at the 350th Air Refueling Squadron auditorium and shared a story about a visit she had with him before he left for his fateful deployment.

"My son was military and he loved being a soldier," she said. "Before he left, he told me he didn't want me to see him off at the airplane, but I believe it was his way of telling me that he knew he probably wouldn't be coming back."

In addition to sharing stories of her son, Evan, Mrs. Dixon briefly described the history of the Gold Star Mothers to the audience, particularly discussing the tradition of wearing white.

"The wearing of white symbolizes the peace this organization brings, and the peace it hopes one day will come," Mrs. Dixon said.

In addition to Mrs. Dixon's experiences, the other seven members of the Gold Star Mothers also shared their stories. One of the Gold Star Mothers, Betty Jean Pulliam, has been in the organization for 43 years. Her son, Dale, was killed in Vietnam on Mother's Day in 1967.

Mrs. Pulliam remarked on the importance of groups like Gold Star Mothers being available to families of fallen servicemembers.

"Being a Gold Star Mother means everything to me because when I lost my son, Vietnam mothers had no groups like this," she said.

At the conclusion of the presentation, the mothers participated in a refueling flight in a KC-135 Stratotanker.

The importance and timeliness of the tribute made to the mothers was not lost on the 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander.

"It's not lost on us the sacrifice these women have made," he said. "Just as these women's children paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country, these women made the ultimate sacrifice: their children."

The first official group for the Gold Star Mothers made its debut in September 1936. The group received a congressional charter in 1984, after more than fifty years of campaigning. For more information about the American Gold Star Mothers, visit their Web site at www.goldstarmoms.com/index.htm.