Local Ceremonies & Events
Vietnam In-Country Veterans Program, Argyle, MN - 2022
Argyle, MN Gold Star Mothers - June 24, 2023
What defines a Gold Star Mother?
The term Gold Star Mother refers to any mother who has lost a child in the service of our country.
The Gold Star Mothers was founded by Grace Darling Seibold of Washington, D.C. Her son, First Lieutenant George Vaughn Seibold, was killed in aerial combat over France in August, 1918. Mrs. Seibold was already doing volunteer service in a veteran's hospitals. After her son's death, she continued this work, and also began organizing a group of other women who had lost their sons in the war. The mothers did volunteer work together, and served as a support network for one another.
On June 4, 1928, the members of the club decided to establish it as a national organization. They incorporated in Washington DC under the name of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. At the time, the club had sixty five members, but this number soon increased as more women learned about the national organization. As you now know we have 13 Gold Star Mothers being honored here today.
The term Gold Star Mother refers to any mother who has lost a child in the service of our country.
The Gold Star Mothers was founded by Grace Darling Seibold of Washington, D.C. Her son, First Lieutenant George Vaughn Seibold, was killed in aerial combat over France in August, 1918. Mrs. Seibold was already doing volunteer service in a veteran's hospitals. After her son's death, she continued this work, and also began organizing a group of other women who had lost their sons in the war. The mothers did volunteer work together, and served as a support network for one another.
On June 4, 1928, the members of the club decided to establish it as a national organization. They incorporated in Washington DC under the name of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. At the time, the club had sixty five members, but this number soon increased as more women learned about the national organization. As you now know we have 13 Gold Star Mothers being honored here today.
This is what I think Gold Star Mothers and most Mothers of Veterans went through.
By Keith A. Bergeron
We were drafted, volunteered for the draft, enlisted and picked from a lottery number for military service. We went because our country called us to service. Our mothers and fathers didn’t want to let us go. Myself I said I got myself into this and I would go where ever they sent me. At the time being 18 years old you don’t stop to think what it’s doing to your mother. What you are going to put her through while you are in harms way. When you are there you send her letters and audio tapes saying you are fine. Than some of us don’t come home and it tears our mothers apart. Which we can’t imagine. The ones that do come home put their mother through hell with flash backs, drinking and who knows what from what they have seen or what they have done. Even while we are doing it we mostly don’t think anything about it. I now wish I could tell my mother I am sorry for what I and my brother put her through. God bless all Gold Star Mothers and all mothers of Veterans.
Argyle Gold Star Mothers
We wish we could have been able to get all family representatives for each Gold Star Mother. We want to thank the family relatives that are here. We want to thank the Auxiliary members and Jr. Auxiliary members for their help honoring the Gold Star Mothers.
Mrs Hannah Bergeron Mother of Stanley Bergeron.
Butch Bergeron representing his grandmother Hannah.
Mrs Lillian Hanson Mother of Gail A Hanson. Auxiliary member Mary Efta friend of Lillian representing her.
Mrs. Frances Hebert, Mother of Micheal Hebert
Mrs. Eva Hedquist, Mother of Hilbert Wm. Hedquist Jr: (Jr. Auxiliary member Faith Efta representing Eva)
Mrs. Tina Hiaasen, Mother of Wallie Hiaasen. (Jr. Auxiliary member Mattea Efta representing)
Mrs. Justina Hogberg, Mother of Emil Hogberg. (Jr. Auxiliary member Tressa Suchor representing Justina)
Mrs. Ethel Erickson, Mother of Lyle W. Erickson. (Jr. Auxiliary member Sophie Suchor representing Ethel)
Mrs. Anastasia Gerszewski, Mother of Leo Gerszewski. (Jr. Auxiliary member Lou Jarshaw representing Anastasia)
Mrs. Ruth Kurz, Mother of John Kurz. (Mrs. Ilene Kurz Slusar representing her Mother Ruth)
Mrs. Lillie Lindstrorm, Mother of Floyd Lindstrom. (Jr. Auxiliary member Elizabeth Jarshaw representing Lellie)
Mrs. Margaret Jane Merck, Mother of Anthony Merck Jr. (Auxiliary member Kathy Riopelle representing Lillie.)
Mrs. Pauline Nowacki, Mother of Allen Nowacki (represented by her grandson Gary Nowacki and great-granddaughter Sarah Mattson)
Mrs. Anna Mae Swanson, Mother of Lynn Swanson. (Howard Swanson representing his mother Anna Mae.)
Mrs Hannah Bergeron Mother of Stanley Bergeron.
Butch Bergeron representing his grandmother Hannah.
Mrs Lillian Hanson Mother of Gail A Hanson. Auxiliary member Mary Efta friend of Lillian representing her.
Mrs. Frances Hebert, Mother of Micheal Hebert
Mrs. Eva Hedquist, Mother of Hilbert Wm. Hedquist Jr: (Jr. Auxiliary member Faith Efta representing Eva)
Mrs. Tina Hiaasen, Mother of Wallie Hiaasen. (Jr. Auxiliary member Mattea Efta representing)
Mrs. Justina Hogberg, Mother of Emil Hogberg. (Jr. Auxiliary member Tressa Suchor representing Justina)
Mrs. Ethel Erickson, Mother of Lyle W. Erickson. (Jr. Auxiliary member Sophie Suchor representing Ethel)
Mrs. Anastasia Gerszewski, Mother of Leo Gerszewski. (Jr. Auxiliary member Lou Jarshaw representing Anastasia)
Mrs. Ruth Kurz, Mother of John Kurz. (Mrs. Ilene Kurz Slusar representing her Mother Ruth)
Mrs. Lillie Lindstrorm, Mother of Floyd Lindstrom. (Jr. Auxiliary member Elizabeth Jarshaw representing Lellie)
Mrs. Margaret Jane Merck, Mother of Anthony Merck Jr. (Auxiliary member Kathy Riopelle representing Lillie.)
Mrs. Pauline Nowacki, Mother of Allen Nowacki (represented by her grandson Gary Nowacki and great-granddaughter Sarah Mattson)
Mrs. Anna Mae Swanson, Mother of Lynn Swanson. (Howard Swanson representing his mother Anna Mae.)
