REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (WHNT) — A Gold-Star service flag is flying over the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command.
A Gold Star family is one that has lost a loved one while they were actively serving in the military. As Memorial Day approaches, a number of those families came together on Redstone Arsenal.
“There’s over 6,000 Gold Star family members here in the state of Alabama, and so we open the doors to all of them that are willing to come and be part of this,” Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey said.
The flag-raising ceremony at Space and Missile Defense Command has become a tradition.
“This is an opportunity to put the families up front and really honored the families and let the families know that we care,” Gainey said.
Jim Ginas attended to honor his son Jimmy, who was a Green Beret.
“We just miss him dearly, and time doesn’t change that,” Ginas said.
He said he appreciates the opportunity to remember his son, but he also came to Thursday’s ceremony to support other gold star families.
“That deep pain will go away,” Ginas said. “I personally recommend, we do it all the time, don’t be afraid to use their name. Don’t be afraid to talk about them. Keep them in your memory. That’s what they’d want anyway.”
Gainey said the families of fallen service members will always be a part of the Army family.
“We’ll always care for them, and we will always be there for them for support,” Gainey said.
The Gold-Star service flag will fly below the American flag outside the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command through Memorial Day.
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