Veterans Voices: Honoring Gold Star families at memorial in Beaufort

BEAUFORT, N.C. (WNCT) — Maria Meyers son Donny grew up as a typical boy. One memory she calls is him taking her hunting.

“He was instrumental in making the Apache a longbow. Into Apache Longbow. And he got a big award for that. Well when he was Army Aviator of the year in 96 and in 97 his helicopter crashed,” said Meyers.

It’s been 27 years since her son died. Now, she tries to go once a week to clean the Gold Star Family Memorial in Beaufort, a monument she helped get put up.

“That was my wish that people would find out about it, care about it, you know, and don’t forget it. Ever. Forget the men and women that died.”

She was able to fundraise for the monument with the help of Trish Slape. Trish and her husband Jim recall their son Jimmy’s death like it was yesterday.

“His dog was just behaving really weird that day because he was very needy,” said Trish Slape.

“I got into the driveway, headed towards my truck, and then I saw the two soldiers in uniform,” said Jim Slape.

“That’s when I knew I had to take them into my house. And then I was going to have to call my wife, destroy her life, And that’s when I realized it wasn’t about me.”

Now, the Slapes and Meyers continue to honor their sons in their day to day lives, hoping others do the same.

“I think for every gold star parent, there is a fear that people are going to forget the sacrifice.”

For them and other Gold Star families, Veterans Day and other holidays now have a new meaning.

“That’s how we keep them, keep their memory alive, you know, say their name,” said Trish Slape.

“I was very proud of him. Very proud of him and still am. You know, I thank God for the time we had together,” said Maria Meyers.

“There are many of us out there to appreciate the sacrifice and do support them. And I think that they they need to know that.”