Stand Up for America Gala & Parade
Stand Up for America Gala
The Department of Georgia American Gold Star Mothers was honored to participate in the very first Stand Up for America Gala and Parade held in Savannah.
On Wednesday, April 22nd, I had the privilege of speaking at the inaugural gala, held at the Savannah Convention Center. I was accompanied by Carolyn Cagle, our First Vice President and Treasurer.
During the evening, we were honored to receive a generous donation from the City of Port Wentworth in support of our mission. The event highlighted the importance of service to veterans, their families, and active-duty military, and it was a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when communities come together with purpose.
In my remarks, I spoke about service and the role it plays in helping Gold Star Mothers navigate grief. Losing a child changes everything. Those changes are not temporary, they become our new normal. Through service, we find a way to carry our children forward and continue honoring their lives.
We extend a special thank you to Tiffany Lancaster, Director of the Recreation Department, for the vital role she played in including our organization in both the gala and the parade this year. Her support and dedication made this experience possible.
We would also like to thank Thomas J. Kilmartin (Retired Colonel), Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer for the City of Port Wentworth, for introducing the city to American Gold Star Mothers and our mission.
Stand Up for America Parade
The parade was a deeply meaningful experience. Our families decorated their vehicle in honor of their children’s lives, stories, and legacies. It was an opportunity not only to be seen,but to ensure our children are remembered.
We were honored to share and carry the names of:
Specialist Fredrick Jenkins III, U.S. Army
Specialist Charles Bilbrey Jr., U.S. Army
LCpl Jonathan Gierke, U.S. Marine Corps
Specialist Ryan King, U.S. Army
Sergeant Breonna Moffett, U.S. Army
Sergeant Kennedy Sanders, U.S. Army
Each name represents a life of service, a legacy of love, and a sacrifice that will never be forgotten.
We are grateful to be part of a community that continues to stand with Gold Star families not just in remembrance, but in action.
CLOSING
Even in the midst of loss, we continue to stand. We continue to serve. And we continue to honor.
Because their lives did not end with their passing. They live on in us, in our service, and in the communities that remember them.
And as long as we stand…they are never forgotten.
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