NEENAH, Wis. (WFRV) – It was a day to honor both fallen service members and their families.
On Sunday, Hawley-Dieckhoff American Legion Post 33 out of Neenah held their ‘Gold Star Luminary Event.’ It honors families of U.S. military members who died defending our country (known as ‘Gold Star Families’).
“When they (service members) are losing their life, their family is losing part of their core, their soul, and we need to support them,” said Dawn Zimmerman of Greenville.
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In 1936, Congress designated the last Sunday of September as ‘Gold Star Mothers’ Day.’ It has since evolved to honor the entire immediate family of fallen servicemen and women. The event in Neenah on Sunday featured a gun salute, the singing of the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ and ‘Amazing Grace,’ and the reading of several poems.
American Legion Post 33 commander Chase Freimark also read aloud the names of over 100 Wisconsin military members who died in recent conflicts in the Middle East.
Gold Star families in attendance and those with friends who died serving their country got a chance to light a golden candle in their honor. One of these people was Dawn Zimmerman.
Her uncle, Henry Zimmerman, was a U.S. Navy sailor during World War II stationed in the Pacific theater. Dawn said Henry lost his life when the tanker he was on came under attack.
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“A bomb went down the smokestack, I think it was nine on the tanker (that died),” she said. “The tanker ended up sinking; he was initially missing in action. After a year, it was changed to killed in action. Just acknowledge that he existed and what he gave and what my family gave to this country.”
Andy Damveld also showed up at the event on Sunday afternoon. He and his wife, Gina, created the ‘Fallen Angel Tribute Truck.’ It has the flags of all the different service branches waving from its back and also has the names of fallen Wisconsin service members from the Persian Gulf conflicts painted on the tailgate. There are 132 names on there in total.
