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From YouTube: Dedication of Gold Star Families Memorial
Description
Here is a video of the ceremony to dedicate the Gulf Coast Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, Nov. 23, 2019, at Guice Park, north of the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor.
A
Tim
Hollingsworth
on
the
chair
of
the
board
at
each
the
federal
and
a
member
of
the
Gulf
Coast
goldstar,
and
his
project
team
that
were
castrated.
Bringing
this
monument
to
the
coast
today
keeps
the
federal
the
city
of
Biloxi
and
Harrison
County,
give
this
monument
and
the
grounds
as
a
gift
to
the
community
and
to
recognize
those
headaches
served
in
our
military.
Those
who
made
the
ultimate
sacrifice,
but
especially
to
all
the
gold
star
family
members
that
have
endured
the
loss
of
a
loved
one
in
the
service
of
their
country.
A
Now
the
dedication
today
is
special
for
all
of
us
that
comes
with
speeches
that
share
emotion,
ceremonies
and
symbolism,
to
remind
us
of
our
past
our
future
and
where
we
stand
as
Americans.
Today,
it
comes
with
a
special
purpose
of
remembering
and
honoring
those
who
have
made
the
ultimate
sacrifice
for
the
country
and
today
especially
recognize
that
the
families
that
continue
to
need
or
the
loss,
and
then
we
have
a
lot
of
veterans
that
are
here
today,
myself
included.
A
I
would
like
to
remind
them
that,
as
a
result
of
the
change
to
the
Defense
Authorization
Act
of
2009,
military
retirees
and
veterans
may
now
render
the
hand
salute
with
the
national
anthem
from
the
same
manner
as
they
did
when
they
were
in
active
duty.
You
have
earned
that
privilege.
So,
ladies
and
gentlemen,
please
rise
for
the
presentation
of
the
colors
remain
standing
for
the
national,
the
Pledge
of
Allegiance
and
the
invocation
at
this
time.
I
invite
the
Ocean
Springs
Junior
ROTC
to
bring
the
colors
for.
A
D
D
G
God,
our
Father,
who
commands
the
heavenly
hosts,
as
we
gather
here
today,
to
dedicate
this
monument
to
the
memory
of
all
of
those
who
have
paid
the
ultimate
sacrifice
serving
our
country,
especially
to
their
family
members.
We
begin
by
thanking
you
for
bringing
this
monument
to
fruition.
We
know
that
so
much
time
and
effort
has
been
poured
into
making
this
mounting
into
a
reality
today,
so
we
are
so
thankful.
G
We
thank
you
God
for
inspiring
selfless
service
in
so
many
of
our
brothers
and
sisters,
and
we
thank
you
too,
to
save
all
those
who,
to
this
day
continue
to
serve.
We
thank
you,
Father
for
the
families
and
friends
of
those
who
have
served,
especially
for
many
gold
star
family
members
throughout
the
Gulf
Coast,
who
are
here
with
us
today.
We
have
also
sacrificed
so
much
and
been
thanked.
So
little.
G
We
ask
now
father
the
shore
blessing
descend
on
these
rounds,
that
she
make
it
a
sacred
place
for
remembrance
and
gratitude,
and
that
should
keep
us
always
aware
of
and
thankful
for
those
who
have
put
their
own
lives
on
hold
so
that
we
may
continue
in
peace
with
our
own.
Finally,
Lord
we
pray
for
an
end
to
all
wars.
We
pray
for
the
peace
that
you
can
give,
and
so,
as
we
dedicate
this
monument
today,
we
rededicate
ourselves
to
the
task
of
doing
our
part
to
bringing
about
that
peace,
remembering
that
freedom
is
never
free.
A
A
A
A
And
to
all
our
commanders
and
officers
in
this
that
have
come
out
today
to
show
their
support
to
CoStar
Phoenix.
Thank
you
so
much.
There
are
so
many
people
to
thank
for
the
participation
in
supporting
this
project,
and
this
would
not
have
been
possible
without
that
full
support.
Of
course,
major
labor
Theotokos
for
providing
the
ongoing
support
to
veterans
and
gold
star
families
and
for
making
this
incredible
location
available
for
gold
stars
and
also
to
the
Harrison
County
Board
of
Supervisors
and
the
Biloxi
City
Council,
as
well.
A
A
Danny's
father,
who
brought
this
project
to
my
attention,
he
jumped
right
away
and
said:
is
this
something
that
that
we
think
that
the
members
of
cash,
the
federal,
would
support?
He
knew
the
answer
in
advance,
but
he
did
bring
it
forward
and
I
said.
We
really
appreciate
it
and
thanks
to
the
Board
of
Directors
that
are
here
today
and
and
to
all
of
you
that
are
teaching
the
federal
members
that
really
have
made
this
fun
and
possible
back
for
the
funding.
So
thank
you
so
much.
A
A
And,
of
course,
nonetheless,
what
would
have
happened
without
the
foundation
thanks
to
a
CEO,
a
Chad
Graham
and
Mike
King
from
the
girl,
Shibuya
Women's
Foundation,
for
their
help
in
coordinating
the
project
without
the
Medal
of
Honor
foundation.
Ghost
our
family's
monuments,
such
as
the
one
that
you'll
see,
would
not
be
possible.
A
The
foundation
sometimes
spends
months
and
years
trying
to
help
raise
the
bunch
of
these
monuments
and
finding
the
and
securing
the
grounds
that
are
suitable
for
money
and
like
this
and
not
to
say
they
certainly
found
the
location
for
there's.
No
doubt
about
that.
This
has
to
be
one
of
the
premier
in
the
nation.
This
project
was
different
for
them,
though,
it
was
kind
of
the
perfect
combination
of
coming
together
with
really
lightning
speed
case
for
Federal
Credit
Union,
the
city
of
Biloxi
and
Harrison
County.
A
Suffered
and
continues
to
suffer
the
loss
of
a
loved
one
in
the
service
of
their
country.
It
serves
that
reminder
in
that
freedom
is
indeed
not
free
for
them.
The
pain
does
not
go
away,
and
neither
should
our
appreciation
of
their
personal
sacrifices
and
now
I
would
like
to
introduce
those.
We
have
come
to
honor
today,
the
gold
star
families
there's
an
old
saying
that
you
died
twice.
You
know
once
when
you
take
your
last
breath
and
the
second
time
you
die
is
when
your
name
is
no
longer
spoken.
A
These
families
have
suffered
an
incredible
loss
of
their
loved
ones.
Their
loved
ones
should
never
be
forgotten,
nor
should
their
name
never
be
spoken
again.
So
at
this
time,
I'd
like
to
invite
each
immediate
family
ghost
our
member,
if
they're
so
inclined
to
stand
to
introduce
themselves
as
no
bruising
around
the
microphone
and
speak
their
lost
ones
name
and
the
ranch
and
service.
J
K
F
P
R
H
K
T
K
O
X
Y
Y
Z
T
My
name
is
Rhonda
code,
daughter
of
Captain
Howard,
our
coding
locally
from
the
supplements,
the
United
States
Air
Force.
Also,
a
member
of
the
air
commandos
was
stationed
in
Vietnam.
He
had
been
grounded.
He
had
his
tickets
to
return
home.
He
had
his
new
orders
to
go
to
Panama
and
the
pilot
that
was
supposed
to
fly.
This
particular
task
was
sick,
so
my
dad
told
him
to
stay
in
bed
that
he
would
take
it.
We
lost
him
his
shot
daily,
one
November,
24th
1963
they
located
the
fuselage
of
the
airplane.
T
AA
A
A
You
have
several
speakers
today.
The
first
one
is
wmia,
daughter
and
resident
of
Biloxi
who
has
raised
awareness
of
the
ghost
our
families,
her
father,
Chief
Master,
Sergeant
Thomas
from
work
was
captured
in
South
Vietnam,
and
this
that
is
missing
in
action
and
prisoner
of
war.
Ladies
and
gentlemen,.
Q
Q
W
W
W
W
W
W
Mi
a
family
members
have
no
place
to
go
to
lay
roses
or
Christmas
trees
at
a
grave.
My
dad,
along
with
the
Vietnam
emia
zilean
here,
all
we
really
have,
is
a
name
and
a
big
big
wall
in
DC
and
a
memorial
stone
in
Arlington
the
opportunity
to
have
this
memorial
here.
For
me.
Hopefully,
my
family
is
that
we
do
have
somewhere
to
go
now.
On
his
first
day.
I
can
come
here
and
put
flowers.
W
A
I
I
If
you
go
to
the
National
Cemetery,
you
will
see
a
lots
of
tombstones
forever
in
our
heart.
Thus,
those
star
families
know
that
very
well.
When
we
let
is
someone
they
are
not
gone,
they
are
forever
in
our
heart.
The
monument
we
have
today
is
such
a
beautiful
replica
of
forever
in
our
heart
and
we're
so
appreciative
of
it
as
a
ghost
our
family.
I
A
Thank
You
Jake
at
this
time
we've
included
a
presentation
for
this
dedication
to
give
some
familiarity
to
the
Goldstar
flag
and
a
little
bit
of
a
history.
The
service
flag
was
established
in
1917
during
the
First
World
War
and
originally
was
called
the
Sons
and
Service
Fund.
Each
family
was
entitled
to
hang
this
flag
in
the
window
at
home
to
indicate
that
they
have
an
active
member
in
service.
The
original
flag
had
a
blue
star
in
the
center
which
stood
for
loyalty,
sincerity,
hope,
pride
and
justice.
A
A
There's
a
price
being
paid
for
the
freedoms
that
we
all
enjoy
and
in
remembrance
of
the
service
number
lost
and
of
the
sacrifices
of
the
family.
So
at
this
time
as
ghosts,
our
Father
jaylee,
rappers,
nie
and
more
and
Jane
Green.
If
you
would
please
come
forward
to
receive
and
display
the
flag
that
represents
all
gold
star
families.
E
E
E
E
E
A
The
gold
star
flag
flies
in
memory
of
those
who
were
lost
and
those
that
who
can
only
remember
the
gold
star
flag
will
join
the
PWM
iron
flag
later
this
afternoon
and
it
is
posted
in
its
permanent
poll
behind
us
here
alongside
the
polls
or
other
flags
of
our
other
services.
Today,
we
also
have
placed
a
wreath
at
the
memorial
to
acknowledge
the
beauty
of
the
lives
that
were
lost
and
that
they
are
not
forgiven
or
forgotten.
A
We're
honored
today
to
have
our
final
speaker,
Medal
of
Honor
winner,
personal
wood,
Road,
woody
Williams,
Woody's
from
West
Virginia,
a
retired
United
States
Marine
and
is
the
earliest
surviving
recipient
of
the
Medal
of
Honor.
When
the
Battle
of
Iwo
Jima
in
World
War.
Two
during
the
battle
corporal
Williams
distinguished
himself,
with
actions
that
were
above
and
beyond
the
call
of
duty.
A
First
1945
corporal
Williams
distinguished
himself,
two
days
later,
when
American
tanks
trying
to
open
a
line
from
country,
encountered
a
network
and
reinforced
concrete
pillars
and
buried
mines.
Corporal
Williams
went
forward
with
his
70
pound
flamethrower
to
attempt
the
reduction
of
the
devastating
machine-gun
fire
from
their
unyielding
positions
covered
by
only
four
riflemen.
He
fought
for
four
hours
under
terrific
enemy,
small-arms
fire
and
repeatedly
returned
to
his
own
lines
to
prepare
demolition
charges
and
obtain
serviced
flamethrowers.
He
returned
to
the
front
frequently
to
the
rear
of
hospital
emplacements
to
wipe
out
one
position
after
another.
A
These
actions
occurred
on
the
same
day
as
the
raising
of
the
US
flag
on
the
islands.
Mount
Suribachi,
although
Williams
was
not
able
to
witness
the
event
he
through
the
remainder
of
the
five-week
long
battle
and
was
wounded,
March
6,
for
which
he
was
awarded
the
Purple
Heart
in
September
of
1945.
He
returned
to
United
States,
where
he
was
presented,
the
Medal
of
Honor
by
President
Harry
Truman
from
October
5th
1945
at
the
White
House
after
his
retirement
from
the
Reeves
Marines.
A
He
served
as
a
chaplain
of
the
Congressional
Medal
of
Honor
Society
for
35
years.
During
this
time,
woody
was
the
one
who
recognized
the
ghost.
Our
families
had
not
received
the
support
and
the
recognition
that
they
deserve
for
the
sacrifice
of
their
loved
ones
and
the
service
of
the
country.
It
was
his
brainstorm
to
design
a
monument
to
let
everyone
the
country,
know
that
sacrifice
and
to
make
sure
that
the
families
are
not
forgotten.
A
Only
witty
can
tell
the
story
of
the
creation
and
building
of
these
monuments
and
why
they
are
so
important.
All
I'd
like
to
say
to
woody
the
Gulf
Coast
ghosts,
our
family
monument
and
the
project
team
is
proud
to
report
that
your
mission
doesn't
that
continue
with
this,
your
59
family's
monument,
ladies
and
gentlemen,
it's
an
honor
to
introduce
96
years
young
world
war,
two
Bell
of
honor
Hershel,
woody
Williams.
R
AB
Think,
sir,
once
again,
it
is
an
honor
and
a
blessing
for
us
as
a
foundation
to
be
a
small
part
of
these
memorials
across
the
nation.
Someone
asked
earlier
in
conversation
which
one's
your
favorite
every
single
one
is
our
favorite,
because
you
as
a
community
and
choose
delete
from
the
front,
do
the
right
thing
acknowledge
the
ultimate
sacrifice,
the
loved
ones
of
these
wonderful
gold,
star
families,
the
treasure
the
true
treasure
of
our
nation.
AB
With
each
one
of
these
projects,
we
like
to
acknowledge
and
recognize
honorary
board
members
that
really
lead
the
project.
As
my
grandfather
mentioned.
Without
that
person
to
take
that
lead
within
their
community,
the
community
will
not
change
so
today,
I
would
like
to
ask
Diane,
Moore
and
Tesla
ready
to
please
join
us
at
the
podium.
We
have
a
special
presentation.
R
In
World
War,
two
many
homes
had
more
than
one
flag.
Some
five
and
six,
the
most
I,
have
ever
encountered
with
one
family
that
at
nine
loved
ones
in
World
War
two.
At
the
same
time,
my
mother
had
three
hanging
in
her
window,
because
three
of
us
were
serving
I
was
in
the
Pacific
and
the
other
two
were
in
Europe.
R
R
R
R
You
know
I,
think
of
35
percent
in
West
Virginia,
getting
out
on
the
day
to
vote
when
in
areas
where
they
have
never
had
that
privilege
they
turned
on
80
or
85
percent
at
the
sort
of
thing,
I
was
mentioning
to
them
as
our
responsibility.
As
a
citizen
of
this
great
country
as
I,
look
back
over
the
group,
I
saw
several
gray-haired.
Ladies
in
the
group
and
I
wondered
the
focus
of
my
mind.
Do
we
have
lost
our
mothers
here?
R
R
And
it
was
at
that
point
in
time
that
I
decided
we
must
do
something
and
I
was
on
a
Veterans
Committee.
At
that
point
of
time
we
were
building
a
brand
new,
veteran
State
Cemetery
and
we
were
trying
to
decide
where
we're
gonna
put
the
flagpole
and
her
administrative
building
and
all
that
stuff
and
were
meeting
every
two
weeks
and
at
the
next
meeting,
I
said
to
that
group
that
we
must
do
something
honor,
those
loved
ones,
and,
as
many
of
you
know
that
one
sometimes
when
you
open
your
mouth,
stick
your
foot
in
it.
R
P
R
This
is
how
it's
been
since
you
left
us
and
how
it
is.
Today
it
was
Monday
December,
11,
2006,
7:30
p.m.
when
the
knock
came
upon
the
door
and
I
thought
it
must
be.
Ups
I
thought
delivery
of
the
Marine
Corps
flag
that
you
promised
to
send
us
at
Christmas
time.
But
after
the
over
two
Marines
dressed
investigators.
B
R
A
Thank
you
buddy,
and
now
we
come
to
the
part
of
the
ceremony
that
officially
unveils
the
monument
to
the
public.
I
would
like
to
ask
the
following
people
to
join
me
to
help
remove
the
cover,
some
of
which
might
be
surprised,
but
woody,
of
course,
will
be
here,
looks
s40
to
step
back
up
major
Gillick,
the
keister
Federal
Board
of
Directors
and
east
water,
John
Graham,
Mike,
Leonard,
Diane,
Warren
and
Mike
King.
If
you
would
please
come
forward.
E
E
E
C
C
A
And
gentlemen,
the
annealing
the
monument
needs
it
now
belongs
to
all.
Thanks
for
all
that
came
out
today,
special
thanks
to
kiss
the
Federal
Credit
Union,
the
city
of
Biloxi,
Carson
County,
the
foundation,
all
of
our
volunteers.
A
me
clue
are
the
codes
Winchester,
our
back
pipe
players
today,
Chris
Moore,
the
Gulf
Coast
wind
and
summer.
Please
come
forward
and
use
both
sides
of
this
monument
and
visit
with
the
gold
star
families
and
thank
them
for
their
sacrifices.