Download: RSS | Email Alerts | Mobile
Set Text Size SmallSet Text Size MediumSet Text Size LargeSet Text Size X-Large

Local families who gave ultimate sacrifice to country honored

Reported by: Angela Sachitano
Email: asachitano@wptv.com
Last Update: 11/06 6:27 pm
(WPTV)
(WPTV)

PORT ST LUCIE, FL --  It's a position Ginny Luther never expected to be in...a grieving mother whose son died much too soon.

He died a year ago while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.  Like Thursday's events, he was tragically gunned down by a fellow soldier.

"The shock and awe of it happening is beyond words," Luther said. "I'm numb today."

Luther and the families of several local soldiers who paid the ultimate price, were given special recognition during a moving Veterans Day ceremony Friday.

Luther sat next to four other women...all of whom are mothers of soldiers; some still living, some killed in action.

"It's a humbling experience to be here," said Luther's husband, Jack Luther. "You realize you're a part of something so much bigger than you."

The ceremony in front of the St. Lucie Medical Center was moving, poignant and sad. 

All of the regular traditions were performed, the national anthem, gun salute, and taps.

But for many in the crowd, like Pearl Harbor Veteran Arnhold Schwichtenberg, the ceremony was almost too much to bear.

"It's a great country we live in," Schwichtenberg said.  "They gave their sons and husbands."

Port St. Lucie didn't always have this event to honor its veterans. 

It was the creation of one of the hospital's own employees, Maggie Casterlin, a former military wife herself who decided something was needed.

"This is our sixth year and it started because we didn't have a flag," Casterlin said.  "Each year it's just gotten bigger and bigger."

The crowd was perhaps most moved when all of the mothers honored today were given a special wreath to remember their children.

For Ginny Luther it helps her heal, knowing her community recognizes her sacrifice.

"In memory of the families that are going through it, it makes it even more memorable for us," Luther said.

Now on WPTV.com
Glenn Beck draws big crowd
The conservative talk show host is touring the state to promote his new book.
Anti-semetic slurs painted on womans' door
A swastika is painted a Palm Beach Gardens woman's door. A few weeks later, she finds another graphic the anti-semetic message. Video VIDEO
Seven-year-old girl falls from window
A seven-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital after falling out of a second story window tonight.


Most Popular Headlines
Casey Anthony's defense names alternative suspect
Defense attorneys cast suspicion on a former meter reader. Video VIDEO
PBG company gets visit from police
Palm Beach Gardens police spend hours inside a loan modificaton business and leave with documents. Video VIDEO
Police: Crowd attacks officers as teen arrested
Boynton Beach police saw a 17-year-old try to toss away nine bags of marijuana. As the teen was being put in the patrol car, the crowd grew hostile.
  This site is hosted and managed by Inergize Digital.