Gold Star Families
VIP invitation
San Francisco, California
On February 23rd, 2017, Representative Lancia and his wife Maryann arrived in San Francisco for the 12th Annual Gold Star Family Weekend. Having introduced Gold Star license plate legislation last session (2016), which resulted in funding for Gold Star license plates to be included in the budget, they received a VIP invitation to this annual event.
Representative Lancia wasn't prepared for what they experienced. From the reception, where families set up displays for their now deceased loved ones, to the morning's memorial service, they were deeply touched and shed tears throughout.
The memorial service, complete with white roses, lighted candles, and the reading of the names of the service members lost, complete with the phrase "A grateful nation acknowledges your sacrifice and prays for your peace" after the reading of each name was particularly powerful.
Moreover, having the loved ones stand as each name was read, and final video tribute set to music, left them proud but heartbroken.
If there is any doubt about all that those who serve, or who have served give, and sacrifice, a weekend like this, truly puts everything into perspective.
Representative Lanica and his wife felt especially privileged to be able to give citations to some of the folks who help make this annual event possible.
Representative Lancia wasn't prepared for what they experienced. From the reception, where families set up displays for their now deceased loved ones, to the morning's memorial service, they were deeply touched and shed tears throughout.
The memorial service, complete with white roses, lighted candles, and the reading of the names of the service members lost, complete with the phrase "A grateful nation acknowledges your sacrifice and prays for your peace" after the reading of each name was particularly powerful.
Moreover, having the loved ones stand as each name was read, and final video tribute set to music, left them proud but heartbroken.
If there is any doubt about all that those who serve, or who have served give, and sacrifice, a weekend like this, truly puts everything into perspective.
Representative Lanica and his wife felt especially privileged to be able to give citations to some of the folks who help make this annual event possible.
