Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Gold Star Mothers honor those who serve, some they’ve lost


Sharing a hug, Gold Star Mother Denise Gionet, right, of Pelham, greets Blue Star Mother Beverly Collier, of Nashua, during a Christmas tree decorating at Nashua City Hall on Monday, honoring the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the U.S. military. Gionet’s son, Daniel, was killed in June 2006. Photo by Bob Hammerstrom




"NASHUA – Jo-Anne Petersen slowly hooked five blue stars onto the branches of the massive Christmas tree in the City Hall rotunda. Cathie Chevalier also added five stars. Linda Casazzi found a spot for one.
These were no mere decorations. Each tiny star represented a loved one who once served in the U.S. military or who still wears a uniform.As much as these symbols aim to give people pause as they conduct business at City Hall, a handful of gold stars will undoubtedly prompt even greater reflection. A gold star signifies that a mother has lost a son or daughter in war.Daniel Gionet, a 23-year-old Pelham resident who died in Iraq last year, had a star placed on the tree by his mother, Denise Gionet.Even though the Blue and Gold Star Mothers of New Hampshire announced the Monday afternoon decorating as an event, the mothers hung their stars without much fanfare. They did so with a mixture of pride and sadness."


More...Nashuatelegraph.com: Gold Star Mothers honor those who serve, some they’ve lost:

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