Gold Star Families honoring fallen heroes of Central Illinois

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Dozens of local Gold Star Families met for a commemoration ceremony at Barracks Cater Inn, followed by a trip to the Peoria Riverfront Museum.

The event is meant to remember those who died while serving their country.

America’s Gold Star Families provide honor, hope, and healing to those grieving a military loss.

Following the ceremony, the Peoria Police Department and Fire Department gave an escort of the Peoria Riverfront Museum for families to enjoy fun activities and have lunch.

America’s Gold Star Families CEO and founder Patti Latch said they want to make sure every fallen hero is honored and to ensure their families are always taken care of.

“We just want people to fellowship and talk together because when that happens, some level of healing can occur in their hearts and that’s the ultimate goal. We can never fix it. But when you’re with people who have experienced a similar loss, something magical happens and gives them hope and purpose to continue their lives without their hero. And that’s what it’s all about,” she said.

Families were treated to lunch, heard from keynote speakers, and lined up to receive a yellow rose to lay beside their family members’ service flag.

This is the 10th year they’ve held the Gold Star Families commemoration.

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