BOZEMAN – It was a rainy yet gloomy day of remembrance when Bozeman unveiled the Gold Star family’s first memorial in Montana.
“We do not want our loved ones to be forgotten. They sacrificed for this county. It’s very important that they are remembered and honored, “said Gail Mael, a member of the Gold Star family.
Dozens gathered at Sunset Hills Cemetery on Monday afternoon as it rained constantly as the Bozeman community celebrated Remembrance Day. The day is more special in Bozeman, as the city is home to the first Golden Star Memorial in Montana and the 100th in the entire county.
“It means a lot when people come out, especially when the weather is like that, and they support our troops, they support our veterans, they really support America,” Maehl said.
Maehl is a member of the Gold Star family; her brother, Captain Michael McKinnon, was killed in battle in 2005 while in Iraq.
“He was on a second tour in Iraq when he was killed by the IED and left behind a wife and two children; he was only 30 years old, ”says Mael.
Maehl says his life was dedicated to the service of this country.
My brother had graduated from West Point. So the military was his career, “Mael said.
Maehl called Missoula at home and said the support from across the state, the country and abroad was huge.
“The state of Montana is amazing,” says Mael. “It was amazing, like people all over the country, even the world turned around and support meant everything.
The unveiling ceremony included a reading by Senator Steve Danes (R-MT) in the minutes of Congress in honor of Herschel “Woody Williams” of the Woody Williams Foundation, which helps erect monuments to the Golden Star throughout the county.
It also included a blessing and a prayer, with a traditional 21-gun salute at the end, and the Patting could be heard throughout the cemetery.
“I’m honored to be part of the Gold Star family in the sense that no one wants to be in this group, but the friendships and quality people we met meant everything,” says Maehl.
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