April 9th Information
Largest Gathering of Gold Star Families
“Let Us Never Forget” Annual Scholarship Fundraising
EventFriday, April 9, 2010, Doors open at 5:30 PM
Oasis Conference Center, Loveland, Ohio
Master of Ceremonies – Courtis Fuller, WLWT-TV
Program: Entertainment , Dinner,Silent & Live Auction ,Dancing
April 9, 2004 Pvt. Keith Matthew (Matt) Maupin was captured in Iraq when his fuel convoy was ambushed. On April 9, 2006 the Yellow Ribbon Support Center, founded by the Maupin family, organized the 1st “Let Us Never Forget” Event held at the Oasis Conference Center.
Families who have lost a member to war are called “Gold Star Families”. Since the “Let Us Never Forget” event recognizes not only the fallen heroes, but also their families, it has become the largest gathering of Gold Star families at any one event in this area, if not every area of the country.
The 1st “Let Us Never Forget” event raised enough money to provide 30 scholarships in honor of the 30 tri-state heroes who had given the ultimate sacrifice in Operation Enduring Freedom (Which began after the attacks on September 11, 2001) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (which began in March 2003). Each year the event draws large groups in attendance with the discovery of Matt Maupin’s remains just days before April 9, 2008, it was the largest ever.
The “Let Us Never Forget” scholarships are awarded annually after the event to graduating seniors who attend the schools where each fallen hero attended. Over the past 5 years, this annual event has raised almost $239,000 for scholarships to over 300 students. The scholarships are in the name of each hero and therefore it keeps our fallen on the minds of those attending the annual event and those attending the schools where the scholarships are awarded. Hearing the names of the fallen each year is the focus of the scholarship program, “Let Us Never Forget.”
Last year, the program was expanded to include a $250.00 scholarship to every state in the nation. A fallen hero was selected from each state and their family was notified. Several Gold Star families from out of state attended last year. Some of those families will be back again this year with more from as far away as Maryland, Nevada, Wisconson, Virginia,New Hampshire, Texas and Washington are just a few..
Gold Star Families share an understanding and compassion for one another. There are now 57 from the greater Cincinnati, northern Kentucky, and southern Indiana tri-state area alone. On Friday evening the Gold Star families will take turns standing while their son or daughter is given front stage, one at a time on huge video screens. It lets them know their sacrifice has not been forgotten.