Following the graduation, Naval Station Great Lakes Commanding Officer Capt. Jason Williamson met privately with the Gold Star group to personally thank each family member.
“Today we recognize their sacrifices by listening to their stories, sharing in their pain, and pledging to do all we can to support Gold Star Families,” Williamson said. “We have made a commitment to be there every day and support them through prayers and actions. We all must pledge that their memories and their sacrifices will never be forgotten for the parents, spouses, and children who feel the weight of their loss.”
The purpose of the Navy Gold Star Program is to deliver on the Navy’s commitment to surviving families. Longtime assistance is the goal to foster resiliency for surviving families for as long as they desire. The program accomplishes this by using resources from government and non-government programs.
Throughout the year, Navy Gold Star Program coordinators organize events and group visits to connect survivors and to ensure that the sacrifices of our heroes are never forgotten.
Naval Support Activity Great Lakes Fleet and Family Service Center Gold Star Coordinator Julie Boesel’s father was a World War II veteran making Memorial Day important for her family.
“The families loved everything about the day,” Boesel said. “It meant so much for them to still be part of the Navy family. For many of them it is their first time back since their Sailor graduated here. The dedications from the speakers and applause from the crowd was very special to them.”
On Sept. 22, 2012, James and Janice Roberts received news that their son, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Dion Roberts, was killed in Afghanistan.
“I always personally enjoy myself around these young Sailors,” said James Roberts, who attended the Pass-In-Review ceremony. “I get a thrill from that. I will always be surprised by these young people becoming adults and serving in an unpredictable environment that may rise to heights they could have never imagined. So I do feel for them and I have very emotional feelings about them making these kinds of decisions for their future.”
Boot camp training includes physical fitness, seamanship, firearms, firefighting and shipboard damage control along with lessons in Navy heritage and core values, teamwork and discipline. About 40,000 recruits graduate annually from RTC and begin their Navy careers.