The U.S. Coast Guard Quillayute posts the colors while VFW Post 9106 Cmdr. Tom Hughes of Forks salutes during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Gold Star Families Monument at the Forks Transit Center. (Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News)

The U.S. Coast Guard Quillayute posts the colors while VFW Post 9106 Cmdr. Tom Hughes of Forks salutes during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Gold Star Families Monument at the Forks Transit Center. (Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News)

Ground broken for Forks Gold Star Families Memorial Monument

Organizers hope to dedicate finished tribute Sept. 29

FORKS — The Coast Guard posted the colors, the Northwest Navy Band played the national anthem and the Quileute Drum Group blessed the ground before the first shovelfuls of dirt were turned for the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument.

The Saturday ceremony was at the Forks Transit Center.

Mayor Tim Fletcher; Janet Hughes, president of the VFW Auxiliary Post 9106; and Tom Hughes, commander of VFW Post 9160 spoke at the ceremony.

Organizers hope to dedicate the finished monument Sept. 29, on Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star Families Day.

The project started in October 2018, when the VFW sought permission to place the monument at the transit center at 551 S. Forks Ave.

Members of the committee working on this project are Janet and Tom Hughes, Mike McCracken, Bill Plumley, Mike Rowley and Christi Baron, who also is the editor of the Forks Forum.

They have worked to raise the $90,000 needed to purchase the monument created by the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation.

The monument will honor Gold Star families, who are the immediate family of a member of the Armed Forces who was killed or died while serving.

One side of the black granite monument will feature the words “Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, a tribute to Gold Star Families and Relatives who have sacrificed a Loved One for our Freedom.

The other side will feature a four-part story about “Homeland, Family, Patriot, and Sacrifice” told in panels to serve as a reflection of the Gold Star Families and their fallen heroes.

At the center of these four images, will be a cut-out that represents the loved one who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

The idea for the monument came from the U.S. Marine Corps veteran and WWII Medal of Honor recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams, the last surviving Marine from WWII who wears the Medal of Honor, Hughes said.

The Gold Star originated in WWI from Army Capt. Robert Queissner, who had two sons serving at the front lines. He created and patented the blue star banner which would go on to become the unofficial symbol of families with a child/family member in the service, according to Hughes. The star would change from blue to gold upon the death of the service member in the line of duty.

For more information or to schedule a speaker on the monument, contact the VFW at 360-374-5489 or J. Hughes at 360-640-1401 evenings.

More in News

Sunlight reflects off the skull of Gunther, the California gray whale carcass on display on the pier in Port Townsend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
The golden hour

Sunlight reflects off the skull of Gunther, the California gray whale carcass… Continue reading

The state is looking to turn Miller Peninsula, a 2,800-acre undeveloped park east of Sequim, into a destination state park with a visitors center, cabins, picnic areas and more. Some locals oppose the move. (Warren Wilson)
Opponents want park to stay day use

State updates plan for Miller Peninsula

Sequim staff plan to send a proposal to the state this month to potentially fund sewer and water lift stations on West Sequim Bay Road using new developments’ property taxes through a Tax Increment Area by Sequim Bay in a 363-acre area. It would require the city to prove that developments in the area wouldn’t happen without the stations. The city council also would have to approve it. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim exploring funding mechanism to incentivize development

City would create district, repurpose tax dollars for lift stations

Fred Rix of Port Angeles, right, looks over floral arrangements with Ann O’Neill, an employee of Angel Crest Gardens of Port Angeles at a temporary stand at First and Race streets in Port Angeles on Valentine’s Day. Rix said he wanted roses for his wife, Wendy Rix, for their 55th wedding anniversary. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Valentine’s roses

Fred Rix of Port Angeles, right, looks over floral arrangements with Ann… Continue reading

Port Angeles-owned Lancashire Heeler “Ki” poses with handler and co-owner Chelsy Pendleton of Utah with their ribbon. Ki placed as Best of Opposite Sex at the 149th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
PA dog places at famous show

Lancashire Heeler wins ribbon at Westminster

x
Nominations open for Community Service awards

Forms due March 25; event scheduled for May 1

Poplars to be removed in spring

Boat Yard expansion part of larger project

Jeffco Aquatic Coalition launches pool survey

Results intended to inform design process

Voters approving all Peninsula school measures

Sequim bond passing with required supermajority

A snow-covered Mount Angeles is seen from Black Diamond Road a few miles south of Port Angeles. While the Peninsula has seen temperatures below freezing this week, a warming trend is expected by this weekend with highs reaching the upper 40s and overnight lows in the 30s. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Winter snowscape

A snow-covered Mount Angeles is seen from Black Diamond Road a few… Continue reading