Luminary memorials are set up throughout the Canyon Lake Lodge lawn to commemorate the Canyon Lake Gold Star Luminary Night on Sunday. The nationwide event is held in various communities throughout the country to honor fallen members of the United States military. Photo provided by Suzy Bowman.
Gold Star families honored
Canyon Lake’s Suzy Bowman, mother to Aiden Baldwin, 1st RTBN Bravo Company, Platoon 1021, along with the help of Tim Cook and many other volunteers throughout the community, hosted the Canyon Lake Gold Star Luminary Night at the Lodge on Sunday.
The luminary night came to be when Suzy learned of the event and wanted to show her support to the families who have lost loved ones in service to the country.
As word spread of Suzy putting on the event, others in the community showed interest in participating.
The event grew into the Lodge lawn being covered with memorials to commemorate the Canyon Lake Gold Star Luminary Night.
Aiden Baldwin’s mother Suzy Bowman, sister Emma Baldwin and girlfriend Emma Valenzuela hold banner of support for Aiden at the Canyon Lake Gold Star Luminary Night at the Lodge on Sunday. Aiden is serving in boot camp and the Gold Star tribute was not only a way to show support for the Gold Star families, but those currently serving, Suzy said.
Gold Star Family Day is a nation-wide commemoration held in communities around the country on the last Sunday of September each year. It is a day to come together and honor those who have lost a loved one serving in the U.S. military by lighting a luminary, Suzy said.
Her desire to host such a day was her way to show support for lives lost and for those, too, who are currently serving. She said the event shows support for military personnel who are just going through boot camp and beginning their military careers as well as those who are actively serving and for those who have retired.
Suzy’s son is currently in boot camp. Being new to the military she joined support groups for military moms.
Suzy says it’s through the support groups, such as Marine Parents on FaceBook, where she is able to get daily lessons and advice on how to be the best supportive parent for new recruits. The page is run by veteran marine parents, who Suzy said are inspirational.
Photo provided by Suzy Bowman
“These parents are so valuable in helping us new-recruit parents deal with the ups and downs of having our sons and daughters first going into the military,” she said. “It was through these groups that I learned about the Gold Star Family Day Luminary Initiative.”
Once she came up with the idea to hold a Canyon Lake Gold Star day, the support was overwhelming, she said.
“It was amazing to see the community come together to help make this evening happen,” Suzy said. “I want to thank everyone who helped make the evening possible.”
One of the benefits of holding the event will be sharing photos with not only her son, but with those who serve with him.
“Everyone in attendance that night wants to show not only Aiden, but all the young recruits with whom he serves that they are being supported,” Suzy said. “This all while honoring all the fallen soldiers on this very special evening of remembrance.”
Sonja Kehnt, one of the many attendees, said her family came out to the Gold Star event to show support for some of her family who lost their lives in battle, along with those in her family who served.
Jimmy Kehnt, 1st Marine Division 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines 106 Platton, served in Vietnam in 1972 and 1973. He served with his father in law, Sonja Kehnt’s grandfather, Charles Wilson. Charles Wilson lost his life while serving in Vietnam.
Sonja’s brother, Jeremi Kehnt, USMC, alongside his cousin, Aaron Contreras, were more recently sent to battle in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jeremi returned home, but Aaron did not, dying in battle there. Sonja’s family wanted to honor not only her grandfather and cousin, but all the families who have lost a loved one.
Photo provided by Suzy Bowman
Photo provided by Suzy Bowman