Crisfield holds gold star dedication in honor of Veteran’s Day
CRISFIELD, Md. – On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year, Crisfield celebrated Veterans day, honoring 16 gold star family members of those who fell in combat dating back to the first world war.
Phil Riggin, a former commander of the local American Legion Post, tells us it was important to them to find those local families and let them know; their loved ones’ sacrifice is still remembered and celebrated.
“They are not grieving by themselves they have grieved in the past by themselves,” he said adding “We expect a lot of people to be crying today as they re-live their experiences but that’s good that’s a healing mechanism, and as they continue to heal they will know a community like this one supports them.”
One of the Gold Star families in attendance, the Eskdridge’s, came to Crisfield from Tangiers Island in honor of their fallen family member.
“I’m here on behalf of my brother he was killed in Vietnam in 69 so myself, my brother, and sister are here,” said James Eskridge.
As part of the ceremony, family members were called one by one, to receive the gold star, before a wreath-laying and unveiling of the marker that will sit in front of the Crisfield library. Eskridge tells us while the ceremony brought on tears for many in the crowd, it helps to highlight for everyone in attendance, the sacrifice his brother and many other veterans made.
“You never forget, you learn to live with it but you never get over it, and to this day I still remember him and am thankful for him and all the other folks that made our way of life possible,” he said.
Courtney Dryden Rogers, a veteran, and gold star family member who lost her father at just 9-years-old spoke at the event. She spoke to the grief she felt, recalling the devastating moments when she found out her father had been killed in Vietnam. She tells us wants politicians and leaders to understand the true cost of combat, and to only go to war when the objectives are clear, and the troops have a support system to come home to.
“If you’re going to make the highest sacrifice you want to know there is the highest commitment, the most determination, and the most preparation to see it through,” she said.
The event was sponsored by Somerset Country Garden Club and the Federated Garden Clubs of America.
The symbolism of the gold star comes from families as far back as the first world war, where homes with deployed family members would hang blue stars on the exterior. When a service member was killed, that star would be replaced by a gold one, representing their sacrifice.
