VIEW: 19-14: Gold Star Survivor Memorials

VIEW FROM HERE
By Bob McDowell (Born Neil Carson) Number 19-14
GOLD STAR SURVIVOR MEMORIALS Week of 201/04/08
Now for a relaxing change of pace from the evil and noisy proclamations
we have been bombarded with for the last two and one-half years from the
'goats' on the left. It has recently, within the last year or so, come to my
attention that someone has come forward with a plan to recognize those "Gold
Star Survivors" of military who have "given there all" for the USA we older
generations tend to love and cherish. Much more recently I have received
details of this program to have monuments to those family members deprived
of a loved one in as many places as local folks wish to back up their desire
with actions and donations.
Behind this program is CWO4 Hershal 'Woody' Williams, USMC,
Retired, Medal of Honor Recipient, Iwo Jima and Co-founder of the "Medal
of Honor Foundation" bearing his name. The Foundation also offers "
scholarships to Gold Star Children, sponsors outreach programs and events,
and educating communities about Gold Star Families and the sacrifice they
have endured" It has received the '501-C-3 tax position to receive
donations tax deductible to the donors.
According to the flier from the Foundation, as of December 2017
there were 30 monuments already dedicated and 52 in progress of fund
raising or construction located in 36 States. Most of these presently are in
the East with only three completed West of the Mississippi River in Nebraska,
Missouri, and Texas with one each. A map shows 17 in progress in States
West of the Mississippi.
The Foundation requires that each and every monument must adhere to
the same plan and be inscribed the same way on the front, with optional
inscriptions permitted on the back. All are made from three black granite
slabs quarried in Italy, I'm told. All contributions are made to the Foundation
with statements as to which individual monument fund they are supporting.
A few years ago an effort was begun, initially by the Tulsa Marine
League, to have one in the Tulsa Metro Area. Afterwards at the initial effort
by Sgt. David T. Rule, USAF 1965-1971, Jet Engine Mechanic, F-105
Okinawa and SR-71 Blackbird Beale AFB, CA a Gold Star son, the World
War II Vets of Tulsa, now named All Veterans Association has taken up the
project. He reported at the April 4 meeting that his efforts with the City of
Tulsa Council had received a seemingly favorable reception and that a
Resolution was in preparation for the signature of the Mayor to designate a
location for a Memorial in the City.
He also furnished a copy of a proposed Resolution stating that "the
last Sunday in September is designated as 'Gold Star Mother's Day'
pursuant to Title 36 United States Code, Section 111.... and that the week
of Sunday, September 22 through Saturday September 28, 2019 be
designated as "Gold Star Families Remembrance Week". These are
awaiting the signature of Mayor Bynum. These developments seem to be
a great step forward from the reception he had received from the
bureaucracy of the City Government.
When a final and definite location is settled for the location of the
Memorial, from at least two presently in consideration, a full effort will be
under way to finish the funding, estimated to require between fifty and
sixty thousand dollars.
This seems to me a most worthy cause as it is the families of military
casualties that have the continuing mixed feelings of loss and pride over
their now missing member.
END
Composed April 05, 2019
Robert W. McDowell, Jr. © 2019 841 Lynwood Lane
918-451-1051 Broken Arrow OK 74011-8608
Email: abdmcfpi@localnet.com