Photo By Gregory Mitchell | More than 850 guests came to honor the 141 names read at this years Bells Across...... read more read more
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Story by Carolyn Gray, NAS Public Affairs Office
The Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) held the sixth annual Bells Across America for Fallen Service Members Ceremony at the Naval Aviation Memorial Chapel onboard NAS Pensacola.
Father Peter A. McLaughlin, Catholic Priest, NAS Pensacola and Gold Star survivor, was the guest speaker for the ceremony.
As an initiative of the Navy Gold Star program, ceremonies were conducted concurrently throughout the United States to remember and celebrate the lives of fallen service members from all branches of the military, regardless of their cause of death. The Navy Gold Star program serves as the advocate for the families and provides support, information and services such as reserved Gold Star family parking. Base Commanders have designated parking in various locations such as the Commissary, Exchanges, FFSC and Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) to promote awareness, educate the military community on the sacrifices of families of deceased active duty and to honor their loss.
More than 850 guests attended the ceremony to honor the commitment and sacrifice of the 141 names read aloud. Also, in attendance were over 40 Gold Star family members.
Claudine Utley honored her brother, Army Specialist James Myles. “It was such an honor to be here today. The ceremony was beautiful,” said Utley.
Capt. Timothy Kinsella Jr., commanding officer, NAS Pensacola, delivered the opening remarks for the ceremony.
“Each of your loved ones continue to smile eternally in your memory,” said Kinsella “That is the true meaning of today’s ceremony. For it is through the living that we give our loved ones the immortality they so deserve.”
The names were read by the NAS Pensacola Command Master Chief Mario Rivers, and retired Air Force Maj. Patrick Nichols, a Gold Star survivor.
If you would like more information on the Navy Gold Star Program, Bells Across America for Fallen Service Members, please go to www.navygoldstar.com or call 1 (888) 509-8759.
| Date Taken: | 09.26.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 09.26.2019 17:33 |
| Story ID: | 343990 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 340 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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