Las Vegas Sun

April 25, 2024

Gold Star Families Memorial dedicated at vets home in Sparks

SPARKS — Nevada has become the latest state to honor the sacrifices of servicemen and servicewomen killed in military service.

The Gold Star Families Memorial was dedicated Saturday on the grounds of the recently opened Northern Nevada State Veterans Home in Sparks.

The Nevada Appeal reports the black granite memorial has one side for a tribute to Gold Star Families and the other to tell a story on four panels of Homeland, Family, Patriot and Sacrifice.

Among the speakers at the event was 96-year-old Hershel "Woody" Williams, a former Marine who earned a Medal of Honor for his heroism at the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945.

Williams says the U.S. has done a good job of recognizing veterans, but a very poor job in honoring the families until now.