LEXINGTON, Va. – A monument to remember and honor families who lost a loved one in the line of duty.
This is the purpose of Gold Star Family Memorials.
Lexington It will soon be home to one, thanks to the efforts of Jaden Keuhner.
10 News first introduced you to Keuhner in March, when he began leading the effort to bring a monument to Lexington at Jordan’s Point Park.
In a record 89 days, Keunher met and surpassed her fundraising goal of $60,000.
“It’s so amazing to me that I have so many people supporting the plan and the project. And I can trust those people to help build something that’s so important to the community,” he said.
Gold Star Family Memorials honor those who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.
The Lexington memorial will honor two hometown heroes in particular, Chase Prasnicki and Andrew Ross, both from Rockbridge County who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
“You know my son is gone, he’s not with us. He’s not here necessarily to be honored. But for us as a family to know that the community cares enough,” said Stephen Ross, the father of Andrew Ross. “This initiative by the Keuhners, and the other donors who have stepped up, shows how healthy and patriotic the community is.”
The Woody Williams Foundation is behind the 127 Gold Star Family Memorials across the country.
This one in Lexington will be the fourth memorial in Virginia. Others are in Chesapeake, Lovettsville and Bedford.
“It’s more or less like these families and that they have closure. And so we can support them,” said Alex Nauert, director of programs at the Woody Williams Foundation.
Keuhner plans to complete the Lexington memorial and a dedication ceremony on Sept. 24, which is nationally recognized as Gold Star Family Day.
“Building these monuments and honoring these families is something really cool and special to me that I think we can help honor, not just one family, but as many families as possible,” Keuhner said.
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