Gold Star Mother Statue 

The Gold Star Mother statue, found in the Tribute Mall, was funded by donations from the community to honor Gold Star families.  This project was started with a generous donation from Kaye and John Olson in honor of their son.  

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The title of Gold Star Family is reserved for those who have lost a loved one in the line of duty. It recognizes not only the service member’s ultimate sacrifice but also the profound grief, strength, and resilience of their family.

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Today, only 1% of Americans serve in the military, a stark contrast to 12% during World War II—yet Gold Star Families remain more common than many realize. Since 9/11, more than 7,000 service members have lost their lives in the Global War on Terror, and an additional 30000+ have died in non-combat-related circumstances.

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Each year we pay tribute to Gold Star families at our Memorial Day and Veterans' Day events in order to make sure that the family's sacrifices are never forgotten.