Gold Star Mothers and Sons

It seems only yesterday when I met Lillian, the lady in the
children’s theater on a snowy March day in Buffalo, New York. We were strangers seated next to each other when, within five minutes, I learned she had lost a son years earlier in Vietnam. Her comment made a profound impact on me. She was just one mother who suffered the loss of a son in Vietnam. There were 58,220 who experienced a loss like hers.
I felt empathy for them and desired to learn more. By reaching out to the mothers, I’ve made friends and have a greater understanding of the missing chapter of American history that was never revealed about the Vietnam War.
I will always feel closely connected to the mothers who are the main characters in this book and who are in the sunset of their lives.
Through their stories, we will never forget their sacrifices and those made by their sons.
This book is dedicated to the 16 gold star mothers who took the time to share their memories. Also, to the remaining gold star mothers from the Vietnam War who never had the opportunity to do so. May our country come to know the chapter of American history that has remained deeply hidden in their hearts.
“You listen deeply for only one purpose - 
to allow the other person to empty his or 
her heart. This is already an act of relieving suffering. To stop any suffering, no matter 
how small, is a great action of peace.”
Thich Nhat Hanh, Creating True Peace
(New York: Free Press, 2003)
The following gold star mothers shared their stories:

Shirley Popoff/Cpl. Curtis Eugene Crawford, U.S.M.C
Ann Biber/Sgt. Joseph Frank Biber, U.S.M.C
Mary Korona/Spc. 4 Albert Korona III, U.S. Army
Virginia Dabonka/Pfc. John Dabonka, U.S. Army
Theresa Boryszewski/Lance Cpl. Stephen Boryszewski, U.S.M.C
Betty Jackowiak/Cpl. Henry Patrick Jackowiak,U.S.M.C
Alice Knaus/Pfc. Richard Allen Knaus, U.S. Army
Marjorie Miller/Spc. 4 Cary Dwayne Miller, U.S. Army
Edith Miller/Pfc. Jack Wayne Miller, U.S. Army
Sadie Kee/Spc. 4 Wilson Begay Kee, U.S. Army
Emma Jean Willie/Spc. 4 Bennie Leo Huskon, U.S. Army
Shirley Luther/Pfc. Robert Benjamin Luther, U.S. Army
Marguerite Hens/Cpl. John Michael Hens, U.S.M.C
Genevieve Hamm/Spc. 4 Robert Mackey, U.S. Army
Lillian Schulte/Lance Cpl. Mark Vanderheid, U.S.M.C
Georgie Carter Krell/Pfc. Bruce Wayne Carter, U.S.M.C