Gold Star Mother Hope Hollinsworth-Coaxum of Yonkers
L-R-County Executive George Latimer, Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, BOL Chair Vedat Gashi, with members of the Westchester County Police Honor Guard
In a solemn ceremony Westchester County honored the sacrifice of the families of military service members who lost their lives in the service of our country.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer and Veterans Service Agency Director Ron Tocci led the County’s annual Gold Star Mothers & Families Memorial Tribute Ceremony at Westchester’s Memorial Walkway at Kensico Dam Plaza, where 17 County veterans who fell in service since the 9/11 attacks were remembered with hand and rifle salutes and the sounding of “Taps.”
Those assembled heard moving works from Gold Star Mother Hope Hollinsworth-Coaxum of Yonkers, whose son, Army Staff Sergeant Courtney Hollinsworth, died in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007, and whose sacrifice is commemorated on the Walkway.
Latimer said: “As a county and a nation, we remember everyone who served and fell in the line of duty, and we honor their sacrifice, but it’s important to remember that their sacrifice is not theirs alone. There’s a family proudly standing behind everyone who goes off to serve. And when a service member falls, there’s a family that grieves. We have a duty to our Gold Star Families to support them in their grief, to lift them up, to honor their sacrifice, and to provide them whatever help they need for all they’ve given for us.”
Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Most of us have not lost a son or daughter, a spouse or sibling, in military service. We don’t live with that intense paradox of pride in their service and grief for their loss. But we do live with a responsibility to our Gold Star Families, not just to support them with services but to make sure they feel our love and respect, to say every day, ‘We see you, we are humbled by your sacrifice, and we are here for you.’”
Tocci said: “As parents, there’s nothing more profound than the hopes and dreams we have for our children, including hopes and dreams for a fulfilling life of service. Those hopes and dreams for their service don’t end with a folded flag, a rifle salute, a Gold Star, but for families whose loved ones choose a life of military service, the possibility of that ending is very real. Today, and every day, we say to all the Gold Star Moms and Gold Star families, thank you for your service too. We know your sacrifice is indelible, and we promise never to forget it.”
The national remembrance of Gold Star Mother’s Day began in 1936, marked on the last Sunday in September. Since 2011, commemoration has been amended to be Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day.
