By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Military families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty are Gold Star families.
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The designation dates back to World War I, when families would replace the blue star on a displayed service flag with a gold one when their family member was killed in action.
“Today is to remember those who went to fight for us and never came home,” said Rep. Juan Ciscomani.
The community gathered for a solemn morning in Oro Valley to remember and honor those who gave their lives while serving this country. It’s one of several ceremonies across southern Arizona this Memorial Day, but one that holds significance for Gold Star mother LuAnn Galvin.
“It means a lot that my son is remembered and honored, and Memorial Day is a day to remember those who have lost their lives in sacrifice to our country,” Galvin said.
Her son, Taylor, was a Black Hawk Special Operations Regiment pilot who served for 15 years in the military across 10 deployments. He was killed in the Iraq War on August 20, 2018, due to injuries from a helicopter crash over Baghdad. He left behind a wife and two kids.
“When he died, he left a letter to his wife that said ‘If I die at work, I want you to know that I died doing what I believe in and what I believe is right’,” Galvin said.
LuAnn was joined by her daughter Kristine as they remembered their son and brother and recognized the true meaning of Memorial Day.
“It is a day to remember those who have sacrificed their lives in service to our country, just like Armed Forces Day is to acknowledge those currently serving, and Veterans Day is for the veterans,” LuAnn Galvin said.
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Taylor’s permanent spot at the Arizona Heroes Memorial reminds visitors of that sacrifice and gives his family a chance to reflect on the pieces of him they have left.
“They had found these dog tags like two or three years later in the boots, and so then they gave them to me,” Kristine Galvin said.
The Galvin family has lost something irreplaceable but feels comforted knowing Taylor’s sacrifice won’t be forgotten.
“Just coming to these events, just, you know, helps you to…it just feels good that people remember,” LuAnn Galvin said.
The Galvin family said they’re fortunate to receive support and resources from the Night Stalkers Association, which was the unit Taylor served in, and will continue to advocate for other Gold Star families.
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