Photo By Lt. Col. Ruth Castro | Fort Buchanan Survivor Outreach Service (SOS) hosted a Gold Star Recognition Ceremony...... read more read more
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FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico - As part of Gold Star Spouse’s Day, Fort Buchanan Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) conducted an inaugural Gold Star Flag Recognition Ceremony in front of U.S. Army Garrison Headquarters, Fort Buchanan on April 5th.
The Gold Star Recognition Ceremony was performed by the Puerto Rico National Guard Honor Guard and Soldiers of the 1st Mission Support Command, US Army Reserve Puerto Rico. Ms. Dimaris Cancel along with Ms. Milly Guzman and her son, Miguel Bigai, were escorted to retrieve the Gold Star Flag from the “Fallen Heroes” display and then delivered the flag to the Honor Guard to prepare for posting.
As the Gold Star Flag was positioned under the U.S. Flag and began to rise, Taps was played to honor all of our Fallen Members of the U.S. Armed Forces. Congress designated April 5th as Gold Star Spouses’ Day which is celebrated with a number of events throughout the Nation. As part of the Chief of Staff of the Army’s directive to develop a Gold Star Education Campaign and bring awareness to the service and sacrifice of America’s fallen, installation commanders’ are granted the authority to display this Gold Star service flag beneath the United States Flag, during installation hosted or designated Survivor recognition days. Every April 5th, America will pay respect to the spouses and families of Fallen Members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Ms. Dimaris Cancel, lost her husband in 2014. He was an Active Duty Army Soldier stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. “To me it is an honor that they called me and included me to be a part of this event in Honor of all the Fallen Soldiers like the father of my children,” said Cancel. “I feel really honored to have participated in this ceremony. The Army has always been there to support me and my two children.” Cancel has an 18 year old daughter and 11 year old son.
Col. Michael T. Harvey, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan commander, spoke from his heart and thanked all the surviving family members for their attendance. “Thank you for being here today for this Gold Star Recognition Ceremony,” said Harvey. “There are a total of 192 Fallen Warriors in Puerto Rico leaving behind 560 surviving Family members. Our Fallen Warriors have paid the ultimate sacrifice and we have a commitment to the Families of the Fallen to not let that sacrifice go without recognition. Our Nation is forever grateful for those Service Members who gave their last full measure in service to our country and for their surviving Family members.”
The Gold Star Service Flag is displayed in memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving our Nation. This flag is a white rectangular field bordered in red, with a gold star superimposed over a larger blue star so that the blue forms a border. The Blue Star Service Flag is a white rectangular field bordered in red, with a blue star or stars arranged horizontally.
“When you meet someone wearing a Gold Star or Next of Kin pin or if you see a Gold Star Service Flag, remember behind the pins and flag lie stories of Fallen Soldiers and Strong Survivors,” said Harvey. “Take time to recognize, respect and honor all surviving Family members for their resilient spirit.”
A total of 25 surviving family members were present during the Fort Buchanan Gold Star Flag Recognition Ceremony.
“This is a very beautiful ceremony in which we can remember the Fallen and I remember my husband,” said Ms. Sonia Rodriguez, surviving spouse who lost her husband in 2006. He was an Active Army Soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. “I enjoy coming to these types of ceremonies as it brings back lots of memories with my husband. It also gives me an opportunity to bring my children so that they can see how their father fought for our Nation.” Rodriguez was accompanied by her 14 year old son, Jean Carlos Rodriguez and her 10 year old daughter, Janyvette Rodriguez.
Ms. Milly Guzman lost her husband in Afghanistan in 2011, he was an Active Army Soldier. To her, being included in this type of event has a lot of significance. “It is very important that they include us during these ceremonies, as Survivors we know we are not forgotten,” said Guzman. Her son, Miguel Bigai, said this ceremony is a way to remember his dad and all of the things that he has done.
In 2011, Ms. Miguelina Baez Cepeda, lost her son in Afghanistan and she stated that this event is very important because, “it is in recognition of Fallen Soldiers and my son is a Fallen Soldier. The SOS program has supported me and I appreciate what they have been able to provide.”
Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) is an Army Community Service program designed to provide short-term and long-term support to the Survivors of Fallen Soldiers. SOS connects Family members with people who can help them cope with their loss. This program embraces and reassures Survivors that they are continually linked to the Army Family for as long as they desire. On Fort Buchanan, Mr. Edwin Ramos-Jourdan and Mr. Angel L. Castro are the SOS Support coordinators.
| Date Taken: | 04.05.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.05.2016 16:36 |
| Story ID: | 194457 |
| Location: | PR |
| Web Views: | 302 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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