On Wednesday, November 9, 2011 the Miami Valley came
together to honor the Fallen Heroes and their families in the first annual Gold
Star Families Event held at the historic Hope Hotel in the Wright Patterson Air
Force Base in Fairborn, OH. The event was a celebration to honor of all the men
and women of the Miami Valley who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their
country. In addition we honored the life and memory of Marine LCPL William
(Billy) D. Spencer who gave his life for his country on December 28,
2006 when he died while trying to save his Commanding Officer.
I had the opportunity to meet Billy’s dad David
Spencer a few days prior to the event and I don’t think I have ever met a man
so proud of his son. David brought over some photos and videos of Billy for a presentation
to be played prior to the celebration. Going through all the family photos and
videos that Billy made while over in Iraq was a very emotional experience. I
quickly came to the realization that not only did America lose a hero the day
Billy died, a father and mother lost a son, siblings lost a brother, and many
lost a dear friend. The emotions that I felt are nothing compared to the
heartache the Spencer family has endured since Billy’s passing. The Spencer’s
are not alone; there are more than 100 Gold Star Families in the Miami Valley
who also mourn the lost of a loved one. As a tribute to his son, David started
The LCPL William D. Spencer Scholarship Foundation whose goals are, “Our main
goal is to provide as many students as possible with a $1000 scholarship. Our
children deserve a chance to further their education. It is our sincerest hope
that this scholarship will provide additional opportunities for young people to
further their education and so that the military won't have to be their only
option.” The motto of the foundation as well as the event is “NEVER LET’EM
FORGET.”
The evening began with a reception, followed by an Italian
feast provided by the fine staff at the Hope Hotel. The emcee for the event was
WDTN’s Dan Edwards (early morning anchor for channel 2 News) who was very supportive
and the perfect fit for the event. One of the highlights of the evening was the
Posting of the Colors by the Belmont JROTC Honor Guard who honored the fallen
by placing a flag at an empty table placed on the side of the stage. Every item
on the table had meaning like the inverted water
glass and coffee cup placed to the right of the plate representing the fallen
comrades who could not participate in the toasts of the evening and the lemon
wedge placed to represent the bitterness of a life lost. Speakers for the event
included Richard Novak Co-Founder and Chair of the Area Coalition for
Education-Excellence (ACE-E) who also led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, USMC Vietnam
veteran & CEO, Tom Lash, and Keynote speaker of the night General Donald Hoffman,
USAF. The Gold Star speaker for the night was David Spencer who expressed his
heartfelt gratitude for everyone who was in attendance for supporting the event
and The Billy Spencer Scholarship Foundation. Emotions were high as Dave addressed
the crowd but his message was clear; Never Let’em Forget. The foundation will
give three scholarships this year to area schools including Billy’s hometown of
Middletown.
We would like to thank all those involved in
the event including Suzi Thomas and Richard Novak (ACE-E) as well as the sponsors: Gold Star Families of the Miami Valley, The Billy
Spencer Scholarship Foundation, Bishop Dr. Marva Mitchell and Mrs. Zoe Dell Nutter,
and the Honored Trustee of the Area Coalition for Education-Excellence. Thanks
as well to Billie Meeks and the staff at the Hope Hotel for providing such
wonderful accommodations for such a special night. And special thanks to David
Spencer and his family for allowing us to be a part of this night of
celebration, I feel like I have made a friend for life. Thanks Dave! Most of
all thanks to LCPL Billy Spencer and all the men and women of our Armed Forces
who gave their lives that we may be free.
Gold Star Families of the Miami Valley
made while over in Iraq was a very emotional experience. I
quickly came to the realization that not only did America lose a hero the day
Billy died, a father and mother lost a son, siblings lost a brother, and many
lost a dear friend. The emotions that I felt are nothing compared to the
heartache the Spencer family has endured since Billy’s passing. The Spencer’s
are not alone; there are more than 100 Gold Star Families in the Miami Valley
who also mourn the lost of a loved one. As a tribute to his son, David started
The LCPL William D. Spencer Scholarship Foundation whose goals are, “Our main
goal is to provide as many students as possible with a $1000 scholarship. Our
children deserve a chance to further their education. It is our sincerest hope
that this scholarship will provide additional opportunities for young people to
further their education and so that the military won't have to be their only
option.” The motto of the foundation as well as the event is “NEVER LET’EM
FORGET.”
