Events

Gold Star Mothers and Families honored at Sunrise Service at Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park

By Jennifer Bruse | September 27, 2022

On Sunday, September 25, the Gold Star Mothers and Family Day Sunrise Service and Ceremony was held at the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park located at 1776 Freedom Blvd in Conroe.

Hosted by Spring Creek Area TX18 Blue Star Mothers and the Montgomery County Veterans Commission, the Sunday morning ceremony began at 7 a.m. and included the transitioning Blue Star Military Mom’s to Gold Star Moms Pinning Ceremony, a presentation of the Gold Star Wreath in recognition of the Fallen Service Members, and a short service followed by a reception for military families, veterans, and members of the community in attendance.

View videos and photos from the ceremony on the Hello Woodlands Instagram page and on YouTube:

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Gold Star Mother’s Day is observed in the United States in honor of Gold Star Mothers, on the last Sunday in September as a day to honor and recognize those who have lost a child while serving in the United States Armed Services. When an active-duty service member dies, their family transitions from a Blue Star Family to a Gold Star Family. A Gold Star Mother is then the mother who lost a child in the military while actively serving our country.

The opening welcome of the Gold Star Moms and Families Sunrise Service and Ceremony was given by Judge Jimmie C. Edwards, III, Chairman of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission.

Presentation of Colors was done by the Magnolia High School JROTC Color Guard is under the command of Master Chief Corey Seymour, US Navy Retired: Grant Atkinson, Cadet Petty Officer 1st Class (American Flag), Renee Hess, Cadet Lieutenant Junior Grade (Texas Flag), Ayden Utter, Cadet Petty Officer 1st Class (Right Rifle), and Estelle Bautina, Cadet Petty Officer 1st Class (Left Rifle).

The National Anthem was sung by Debbie Glenn, invocation by Heather Wall, Chaplain of the Spring Creek Area TX18 Blue Star Mothers, and the Change of Star Dedication by Heather Herlong, President SCATX18BSM with Gold Star Flag raising by Magnolia JROTC.

Margie Taylor, Gold Star Mother, made a heart-felt presentation that honored her son, Army Specialist Joey Lenz who lost his life at age 32 earlier this February, and the four other Gold Star Moms in attendance. The ceremony continued with the Presentation of Gold Star Mother’s Wreath, Pinning Ceremony, and Poem by Heather Herlong, President, Cara Johnson, 1stVP, and Heather Wall, Chaplin of Spring Creek Area TX18 Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. The benediction was led by Heather Wall, Chaplain of Spring Creek Area TX18 Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. Following the ceremony, refreshments were sponsored and provided by The Red Brick Tavern.

The ceremony was sponsored by Spring Creek Area TX18 Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park, the City of Conroe, Heather Herlong Events, LLC, Magnolia High School JROTC, and Taylorized PR.