Gold Star Family Marker Dedication
Jared Landaker’s quote: Hero: “Anyone who has
put their life on the line serving this country”.
Gold Star Families for Peace (GSFP) is a United States-based organization founded
in January 2005 by individuals who lost family members in the Iraq War,
and are thus entitled to display a Gold Star. It is considered an
offshoot of Military Families Speak Out.
PHOTOS – Saba, Ruiz, Jennifer Harris, Gilbert Minjares, Jared Landaker
From
Editor E T Russell - Please forgive the incomplete credit to these 7 Heros ‘Seven
Stars’ – We will return with an update after November 11th Veterans Day
Ceremony.
Early in February, 2007, with only a week left for them in
Iraq, Lt. Jared M. Landaker and Captain Jennifer Harris received a call that
three Marines were wounded and needed a Casevac flight. With their flight crew
and Corpsman on board, they picked up the wounded and delivered them to the aid
station. Upon the return flight to their
base, they were asked to pick up some blood and return it to the hospital in
Fallujah. During this flight they
received machine gun fire and rocket fire forcing them to divert the helicopter
from their flight route.
On February 7, 2007, Lt. Jared M. Landaker and his crew of
six were KIA in Karhma, Iraq did not survive attack therefore, ten days later on February 17, 2007, Jared was laid to rest at
the Riverside Veterans Cemetery
in Riverside, CA. His father, Joe Landaker, a Vietnam Marine
stated ““He did
more in 25 years than most of us will do in 75 years.”
To add a Gold Star Family Marker to beautiful
Big Bear Lake Veterans Park is truly a privilege. Gold Star Families is a
501(c)(3) not for profit organization created to provide support to those who
have lost a loved one in service of our country through the United States Armed
Forces. Their code is Honor, Hope, Healing. Memorial Markers for Gold Star
Families are permitted on grounds of National Cemeteries, Veteran Administration
Medical Centers and other appropriate civic locations based on approval by NGC
Blue Star Chairman.
The City of Big Bear Lake extends sincere “Thanks
to the Landaker Family” for purchase of the Marker, and the Big Bear Garden
Club for its sponsorship.
The
dual Veterans Day and Gold Star Memorial Dedication Ceremony will take place at
Veterans Park Saturday November 11th beginning at 11:00 A.M. All are welcome and invited to attend.
By E T
Russell November 2017