VFW Honors Gold Star Mother During Memorial Day Weekend Program

The VFW POST 7623 held a Memorial Day weekend breakfast service Sunday morning and honored Gold Star Mother Norene Anderson, whose son, Ronnie Reeder, was killed during the Vietnam War.
Other Gold Star Mothers were invited to attend, but apparently could not be present.
Ms. Anderson says she is thankful that there are still some people who recognize the sacrifices of those who have served their country. “I appreciate the VFW for all they do to remember those people who gave their lives. I was reading a letter from my son yesterday and he said, ?mother, when you hear the expression war is hell, it is’. He knew. He was right in the midst of the Vietnam war. It’s a blessing that some people remember. A lot of people don’t remember. I appreciate the VFW and all they do.”
County Mayor Mike Foster, the guest speaker, says all veterans and those who died in action, should be remembered throughout the year and not just during Memorial Day. “The people in this room are the ones that have made a difference in this world, not just in our community. If it hadn’t been for them, there wouldn’t be freedom probably anywhere in the world. I think we need to appreciate all the veterans from all the wars, what they have done, and the sacrifices they have made for us. We need to honor and respect them. We need to instill in our people the importance of freedom and how we need to sacrifice for that if we have to.”
Foster continued, ” I remember going to Ronnie Reeder’s funeral and that brought a realism to me. Up until that time, a veteran was from World War II or Korea. But when it’s someone you knew and played sports with, it brings things home to you. We need to involve our young people, even in those tragic situations, so they realize those sacrifices are real. It’s very important to keep these traditions alive. That’s what we need to hold onto.”
At the conclusion of the program, a wreath was laid at the monument outside the VFW building, which bears the names of local servicemen who died during World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam.