Biloxi unveils Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Published Nov. 27, 2019 By Airman 1st Class Kimberly L. Mueller 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The Gold Star Families Memorial Monument was dedicated to Gold Star families in memory of their loved ones, Nov. 23, in Biloxi, Mississippi. The memorial, in addition to a display case placed in the Sablich Center at Keesler, serves as a reminder to Airmen they serve in the profession of arms and fallen heroes will never be forgotten. “We have the incredible privilege to care for the families of our fallen heroes and honor Keesler’s fallen heroes,” said Holly Fisher, 81st Force Support Squadron Air Force Families Forever coordinator. “The children of the service members killed in Vietnam may often tell you after their loved one perished they were often forgotten and their connection with the military was lost.” The memorials and Gold Star program work toward honoring and remembering not only the fallen, but the families left behind. “It is extremely hard to have been forgotten,” said Diane Moore, Gold Star daughter. “There are times in my life I have lost faith something will happen and bring my father back. He was captured and a confirmed prisoner of war. Family members of service members missing in action have no place they can go to lay roses or Christmas trees at a grave. All we have is a name on a wall in Washington, D.C., and a memorial stone in Arlington, Texas.” Dedicating memorials to the families is one way Keesler and Biloxi honor and remember the fallen service member and their families. “We recognize the necessity to honor all active duty deaths and the sacrifice all Air Force Families Forever members make when a father, mother, sister, brother, son, daughter or other loved one dies serving our nation,” said Fisher. “Everyone longs to feel connected and I’m proud to say we remember and forever care for the families.” The acts of the community directly impacts and supports the families. “The opportunity to have this memorial here for me and my family is that we now have somewhere to go to place flowers or a Christmas tree,” said Moore.