Gold Star families honored at National Infantry Museum rededication ceremony

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Service members and their loved ones gathered in Columbus on Saturday to recognize Gold Star members as they honored ones they’ve lost in combat.

Just before the 24th anniversary of 9/11, the National Infantry Foundation held its seventh rededication of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Ceremony.

The event brought Gold Star Families together to honor and in some cases, mourn their loved ones killed in combat.

Gold Star families members are immediate family members of an active-duty soldier lost serving this country.

The guests of honor wore gold lanyards representing what President of the National Infantry Foundation Pete Jones describes as their acts of carrying on the tradition of selfless service, displaying personal courage in honor of the ones they’ve lost.

“Really, a warrior dies two deaths,” Jones said. “The first death is when his last breath of life escapes his body. The second death is when nobody ever says his name or remembers his acts as they relate to defending our nation. So that’s what we try to do with the ceremonies. To remember that there are those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

Gold Star family member Mary Kubik remembers and honors her beloved by singing, particularly at events like this.

“It’s a hard but blessed thing to be able to do, but I’ve been so honored to be able to sing in his memory, said Kubik. “To honor other Gold Star family members and other members of the service who put their lives on the line every day for us and our families and our freedoms. And I’m forever grateful.”

The gold star family weekend began Friday with a dinner at the river event center.

Gold Star members have been invited to the Clingstones game Sunday and Jones said if you see someone with a gold lanyard, don’t just thank them for their service, ask them to tell the story of their loved ones.