Gold Star families honored at VA Hospital Memorial Day Ceremony

Yahoo

25-05-2025

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — The James E. Van Zandt Veterans Affairs Medical Center honored families who lost loved ones in combat with a Gold Star Memorial Plaque.
The hour-long ceremony provided those families a chance to see the new plaque, in partnership with the Blair Garden Club, revealed to the public outside the Wall of Healing. The plaque marks the second one erected in the state of Pennsylvania, the first being in Patriot Park at the Flight 93 Memorial.
The long weekend that Memorial Day provides for the common person gives others a chance to enjoy the nice weather. Other families find significance in the holiday.
'Oftentimes for Memorial Day, we think of weekend picnics, hamburgers and hot dogs,' VA Executive Director Derek Coughenour said. 'But that's not the true meaning. The meaning is to remember the sacrifice, the love and commitment that our men and women rose their right hand to serve and pledge allegiance to the United States.'
'Remember that for 58,000 names, there are probably thousands and thousands of more people who knew them and loved them, and they're not coming home,' Blair Garden Club President Emma Kowalski said.
For Carol Adams, whose son died after suffering an injury in Iraq in 2004, Memorial Day is a time to observe and mourn the loss. As a Gold Star family, she feels that the distinction brings grief.
'To become a gold star family yourself is not something you want to do,' Adams said. 'It is not a club you want to go to.'
'Those families that still suffer the loss that came to honor but can't stand up in front of the world and say 'This happened to me,'' Kowalski added. 'That's quiet loss.'
With normal veteran ceremony traditions, such as taps, Amazing Grace on the bagpipes and presentation of the colors, the plaque reveal provided a special moment to the families in attendance. The unveiling made the ceremony more special to officials at the VA.
'It's a tremendous honor for our hospital,' Coughenour said. 'It gives us the opportunity to partner with the Blair Garden Club and Gold Star families to show our commitment to serve the men and women and their families.'
'That's a beautiful plaque. And, it means a lot to us,' Adams added.
Families say that the plaque hopes to serve as a constant reminder to those walking the Wall of Healing to never forget those who defended the United States and those who died in the line of duty. For those who are younger, the Gold Star Memorial looks to provide a learning experience.
'We just want people to remember all the sacrifices, all the names on this wall here and don't forget our sons here,' Adams said.
'I hope people take the time to come and see this plaque and this memorial that's now going to stay here permanently, that they need to come and respect,' Kowalski said. 'And the young people need to come and be taught about why they can do the things that they do.'
The James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center plans to make the Memorial Day Celebration an annual tradition.
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