This traffic light brought tears to my eyes
05-03-2012, 01:28 AM
#21
Instructor
05-03-2012, 01:53 AM
#22
CF Senior Member
Member Since: Feb 2006
Location: Tucson Arizona
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes
on
18 Posts
That's a tough sacrifice to make. I believe the Gold Star tradition goes back to WWI. Families whose child returned (from War) placed a blue star on the window. Families who lost a child in the War would place the Gold Star on their home window. Many families had more than one Gold Star. I believe in WWII there was one family who lost 5 family members on the same ship. After that the Navy didn't post siblings/immediate family members on the same ship...sort of the 'last of the family name' exemption.
05-03-2012, 05:36 AM
#23
Race Director
Member Since: May 2006
Location: SOFLA
Posts: 12,973
Received 1,013 Likes
on
599 Posts
2016 Corvette of Year
2015 C6 of Year Finalist
I don't think many stop to think of the troops overseas and whats going on with them and their family. A lot get to come onto forums and the biggest crisis in their life is the ticket they just got, or an issue with a dealership.
I just finished reading a great book by Chris Kyle, a Navy Seal sniper. Very insightful story on Iraq and Afghanistan and what was going on over there. He has the highest sniper kills of any US sniper in history.
If you want a glimpse into the life of a family and a soldier over there I would recomend reading it.
I just finished reading a great book by Chris Kyle, a Navy Seal sniper. Very insightful story on Iraq and Afghanistan and what was going on over there. He has the highest sniper kills of any US sniper in history.
If you want a glimpse into the life of a family and a soldier over there I would recomend reading it.
05-03-2012, 06:49 AM
#24
Race Director
They were all brothers!! They wanted to serve together on the same ship. Last name was Sullivan if I remember correctly. There were many family homes in America during WWII that had multiple Gold Stars in their windows.
05-03-2012, 06:49 AM
#25
I'll look for that. If I see it now, I'll have CF to thank for educating me. 
On a somewhat related topic, if I get the chance, I pay for service members gas fills at stations when/if I see any plates marking service.
It's only happened twice, but very gratifying.
One was a Vietnam Vet plate, the 2nd was a purple heart plate.
Both were emotional experiences for both parties.
On a somewhat related topic, if I get the chance, I pay for service members gas fills at stations when/if I see any plates marking service.
It's only happened twice, but very gratifying.
One was a Vietnam Vet plate, the 2nd was a purple heart plate.
Both were emotional experiences for both parties.
Here's to you and the men and women who keep us free.
05-03-2012, 07:51 AM
#27
Advanced
Member Since: Apr 2011
Location: Columbus GA War Eagle!
Posts: 77
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hope and Pray
I'm retired military, and when I see those Gold and Blue Star stickers for sale in the PX I hope and pray those Gold ones never sell out. Fingers crossed, too.
05-03-2012, 08:16 AM
#28
Racer
I agree with all of the respect and tribute being put out there.
This threads makes me a little more proud to be a young Corvette owner, and even more proud to be an American
Thank you again to all that have served / are serving.
This threads makes me a little more proud to be a young Corvette owner, and even more proud to be an American
Thank you again to all that have served / are serving.
05-03-2012, 08:44 AM
#30
Advanced
Member Since: Aug 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm at a stop light on my way home and behind a SUV with a USMC emblem on the right side of the rear window. On the left side was another sticker that said "My son is a Marine"
As I waited for the light, I notice the tag is a speciality tag issued by the state. Im sure you may have seen where some states issue tags with university logos, retired and active military, as well as other civic organizations.
Well this tag had an emblem that I had not seen before, so I eased up a few more feet so I could read it. It said "Gold Star Family Member".....My heart sank and my eyes pooled.
So, to my fellow commuter and all those other Gold Star family members thank you from the bottom of my heart for you sacrifice
For those who don't know, a "Gold Star" family is some one who has lost a child in combat.
As I waited for the light, I notice the tag is a speciality tag issued by the state. Im sure you may have seen where some states issue tags with university logos, retired and active military, as well as other civic organizations.
Well this tag had an emblem that I had not seen before, so I eased up a few more feet so I could read it. It said "Gold Star Family Member".....My heart sank and my eyes pooled.
So, to my fellow commuter and all those other Gold Star family members thank you from the bottom of my heart for you sacrifice
For those who don't know, a "Gold Star" family is some one who has lost a child in combat.
Shahram
05-03-2012, 08:56 AM
#31
Team Owner
Member Since: Aug 2006
Posts: 23,095
Received 2,899 Likes
on
1,916 Posts
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
You know it is one thing to be a member of this Corvette family (a new member at that) but it is totally another thing to see the honor and tribute paid to fellow veterans and those who paid the ultimate price...I am very proud of those fellow memebers who take the time to express their support in this forum. Very few organizations that will rally openly around these tributes any more, Harley owners( which I am one) and now I see it in the Corvette owners...awesome guys, proud to be a part of your family.
God bless our service men and women and their families.
05-03-2012, 09:10 AM
#32
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jul 2011
Location: Maryland
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
St. Jude Donor '13
Corvette owner or not, we are all a big family in this country. I've never been in the military (and family sort of forbid any family from doing so after a bad incident a generation or two ago), but I've worked on some naval and air force bases.
Major respect to all military and their families.
Major respect to all military and their families.
05-03-2012, 09:51 AM
#34
Cruising
Member Since: Aug 2002
Location: Waterloo IL
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My club participates in the Veterans Day parade each year. We always drive members of the local Gold Star Mothers organization. Last year we even drove a Gold Star Dad. I think we had 8 cars last year. They are a great bunch of ladies. We have large gold stars we put on the windshield and they always have large pictures of their children they lost. What's really cool is they are always looking for "their" Corvette as the same ladies in our club drive the same Gold Star Mother each year.
Ron
"Baldie88"
USAF Retired
Ron
"Baldie88"
USAF Retired
05-03-2012, 11:46 AM
#35
Le Mans Master
I haven't seen one yet, but I will probably have the same reaction.
I learned very quickly....that the good guys don't alway win.
I learned very quickly....that the good guys don't alway win.
05-03-2012, 02:13 PM
#38
Pro
Member Since: Sep 2011
Location: Lansing and Brighton Michigan
Posts: 721
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes
on
10 Posts
It's times like this when the awareness is brought to our attention. Being a veteran myself I am always thinking of our current and past military personnel and I am very proud of them for what they do on a daily basis. Seeing what some of you have written (such as paying for fuel) gives me great ideas. Since I buy any veteran's food when I see them at a restaurant, I will now add more to the list. Thanks Brothers!
05-03-2012, 02:14 PM
#39
Race Director
Thanks for posting... I have never seen a tag like that here in California. Hope all states have them. I have always thought it was cool that the city I live in, they have flags on streetposts with the pictures of the men and women in my town on them who are serving...
God Save the Good Guys
05-03-2012, 04:00 PM
#40
Intermediate
Member Since: Nov 2010
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
my son is a us army 10th mtn division combat medic who just returned from a yearlong deployment in afghanistan. i am so thankful for his safe return. my prayers go out for the families of those who didn't. and thanks to all who serve and help to make our country the greatest.