Memorial Day Message from a Montana Gold Star Mom

I can’t tell you what an incredible honor it was to receive a surprise phone call from a Gold Star mom while we were LIVE on the radio Friday. I think there are a lot of Montanans who want to support our Gold Star families, but we don’t know what to say or do.

We received a call from Melissa Sandvick. Earlier in the program we mentioned his son, United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Jeremy Sandvick Monroe. The Chinook High School graduate was killed in Iraq in 2006.

To Melissa and all Gold Star families, we cannot thank you enough for your family’s sacrifice. We can’t say enough, but we just want you to know we’re thinking of you and everyone in our Gold Star family this weekend.

What can we as Montanans say or do to support our Gold Star families?

Melissa Sandvick: “It’s hard for a lot of people. And I know, I mean, it was hard for me to talk to people about it. And it was hard for people to talk to me about it when it happened for the first time now, what we really want is our young men and women to be recognized and remembered. Because as the years go by, we think – you know, maybe. that they are forgotten – but it’s not like that and we want them to be theirs. And they should – all our veterans, all those who served, should be remembered, but those who survived should be remembered a little more.”

Melissa called from Malta and tells us there will be a Memorial Day parade at 1 p.m. Monday. Programming begins at noon at Veterans Memorial Park.

Melissa Sandvick: “I just got a message on Facebook yesterday from one of the boys graduating with Jeremy from Chinook. And he-they want to have a convoy to the all class reunion from Chinook to Dodson so his classmates can be there with him. And I think it was really… I mean, it really touched my heart, so any time their names can be mentioned, it’s beautiful to hear.

You can listen to his full phone call below: