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© 2013 KentuckyGuard
Kentucky hosts survivor outreach event for families of fallen Service members
Story by Sgt. Lerone Simmons, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Alan Bernstein, co-owner of B&B Riverboat Company and captain of the Belle of Cincinnati, poses with his daughter Terri Bernstein, co-owner, after receiving awards, coins, and congratulations from General Frank J. Grass, Chief of the National Guard Bureau (left), Pat Grass, his wife, and Brig. Gen. Benjamin Adams III, Chief of Staff for the Kentucky National Guard, in recognition of their commitment to the Survivor Outreach Services boat ride, Newport, Ky., June 15, 2015. More than 600 Gold Star family members attended the event. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Lerone Simmons)
NEWPORT, Ky. — The Belle of Cincinnati hosted 600 Gold Star family members for a cruise along the Ohio River, June 14, in an effort to provide support, assistance and care.
For Terri Bernstein, co-owner of B&B Riverboats which operates the Belle, the Ohio River cruise is somewhat of a family reunion. Bernstein is a Gold Star Wife whose husband, Kentucky National Guard Staff Sgt. Nicholas Carnes, died Aug. 26, 2007, in Afghanistan. He was assigned to Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 138th Field Artillery Regiment, and was a captain for B&B Riverboats.
“Fallen families are near and dear to my heart,” she said. “Supporting them makes me feel better.
David Orange, a support coordinator with Survivor Outreach Services, wishes a surviving family member farewell after returning from a Survivor Outreach Services boat ride at Newport, Ky., June 14, 2015. The boat ride is intended to bring families together who have lost an immediate family member in the line of military duty. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Lerone Simmons)
“We’ve had more attendance than last year and I plan on putting this on (every year) if families keep coming,” she said.
Click here for more photos.
Mark Grant, the Kentucky National Guard Survivor Outreach Services coordinator, said the SOS program exists to help serve the surviving families of the fallen by keeping them connected with the Army, and Kentucky National Guard, for as long as they desire.
“This boat ride allows survivors to have the opportunity to have a good time, while being together with other families that share their pain, but giving them the chance to have fun,” said Grant
This is the second year for the SOS cruise, and passengers agreed that the one-day event is somewhat like a therapy session.
For Leslie and James Groves III, natives of upstate New York, the Flag Day cruise was to honor their son, Chief Warrant Officer 3 James E. Groves III, an active duty helicopter pilot assigned to 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, who died in 2013, in an OH-58 Kiowa helicopter crash.
“James decided that the Army was the best choice for him and we are very proud of his service,” said the elder James, a former Army Reservist.
That pride, according to Leslie, is something that was shared by each of the survivors; along with the grief.
BB Riverboat’s Belle of Cincinnati pulls into the Newport dock to board Gold Star family members and military dignitaries for a Survivor Outreach Services boat ride, Newport, Ky., June 14, 2015. The event, in its second year, hosted more than 600 surviving family members and friends. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Lerone SImmons)
“We’ve all been through the process of getting that call, receiving a flag, and going through the grieving process,” she said. “This actually makes for a much stronger bond and support group.
“This boat ride has allowed us to get together and meet new families and build friendships, and we are very grateful for it,” she said.
The cruise was free, and included food provided by the Cincinnati-based Gold Star Chili restaurant. Surviving family members from eight states participated in the event, which also included activities from the Kentucky National Guard Youth and Family Programs. Among the honored guests were Gen. Frank J. Grass, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, his wife, Pat, and assistant adjutants general from Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and Indiana.
The Gold Star tradition dates back to World War I, when mothers of fallen Service members would change their blue service stars, in the windows of their homes, to gold.
For more information about the Gold Star programs, log on to www.goldstarfamilyregistry.com.
For information about Survivor Outreach Services, visit www.sos.army.mil.
Video by Spc. Cody Cooper, 133rd MPAD
Story by Sgt. Brandy Mort, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Lynn Romans, along with her mother and father, attended a Survivors Outreach Services event in honor of the late Sgt. Darrin Potter, June 14 in Newport, Ky. More than 400 family members of fallen Service members attended the event. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Brandy Mort)
NEWPORT, Ky. - More than 400 U.S. Military “Gold Star” family members set sail for a riverboat ride on the Ohio River June 14 in Newport. A “Gold Star” family is one that has lost an immediate member in conflict or in support of certain military operations. The term originated during World War I and continues today.
Surviving family members from six states, including Kentucky, enjoyed a riverboat ride provided by B&B Riverboats and a meal courtesy of Gold Star Chili.
“I am honored to be able to serve Gold Star Chili to Gold Star families,” said Beverly Phillips, Manager of catering for Gold Star’s corporate office. “My son is a lieutenant in the Army and I always love giving back to those who give so much.”
The Stiles family attends a riverboat ride in Newport, Ky., June 14 to honor the late Staff Sgt. William Culp of Ohio. Surviving family members came from six states to the event which is the second largest SOS event in the country. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Brandy Mort)
This event was organized by National Guard and Active Duty Survivor Outreach Services coordinators, the riverboat ride is the second largest such event in the country.
Terri Bernstein, Captain of the B&B Riverboats, is in charge of all the operations of the vessel including hosting events and coordinating food. Her late husband, Staff Sgt. Nicholas R. Carnes, a Kentucky Guardsman who was killed in Afghanistan in 2007 was a Ludlow, Kentucky, native and also served as a riverboat captain.
“Events like today are priceless,” said Bernstein. “After attending an event myself I was eager to get involved and see how I could offer my help.”
The riverboat ride was a first time event for Kentucky. Bernstein hopes to continue to provide the event for years to come.
Click here to see more photos from the event.
While many enjoyed the event, today was also a moment to remember their lost loved ones for a few.
“I think days like today are very rewarding,” said Lynn Romans, mother of the late Sgt. Darrin Potter, who died in Iraq in 2003. “It’s great to know that people remember the sacrifices our service members make.”
SOS coordinators organize events like these to recognize the surviving family members of military service members who have given their lives in defense of our nation.
“I like to attend events like these to share my story,” said Romans. “I feel safe at these events. When you come to an event you know that you’re amongst people who feel the same way you do and it’s great to have such a wonderful support system.”
David Orange, a Kentucky National Guard SOS coordinator and retired Air Force chief master sergeant said the event was destined to happen with Cincinnati, Ohio-based Gold Star Chili and Newport-based B&B Riverboats, a Gold Star family-owned company involved in a Gold Star event.
“It was meant to be,” he said. “Whether on the grounds of Churchill Downs or here on the Ohio River, Survivor Outreach Services and the National Guard are always willing to support it’s Gold Star Families however we can.”
