Dear Friends,
This holiday season, I was deeply honored when Idaho’s Star Garnet Chapter of the American Gold Star Mothers asked me to host their Hero Tree in the rotunda of the Idaho State Capitol. The tree was created and meticulously researched by Anna Workman, the director of the Sgt. Chris Workman Memorial Scholarship Fund. The tree itself is beautiful and is a seamless complement as the statehouse decorates for the season with wreaths and boughs, ribbons and lights.
But despite the festivity, there is a solemnity about this particular tree. In each handmade ceramic ornament is a picture of a fallen Idaho soldier, sailor, or airman – 83 in all – since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Those are 83 Idaho families for whom Christmas is a more somber time – a time of reflection on the sacrifices that have been made so we can wake up on Christmas morning surrounded by family and the joy that the season brings us, free from fear, free from oppression, and free from tyranny. Our Republic preserved, for now, kept per the admonishment of Benjamin Franklin.
This is the Gold Star gift to us. Lovingly given without asking anything in return, except remembrance. I am honored and humbled to see this tree and those faces every day when walking into my office, and I could not be more proud to host it at the capitol. I ask only one thing on behalf of our Gold Star families – be the kind of American worthy of such a profound sacrifice. It is the very least we can do for those fallen and their families.
I welcome and encourage you all to stop by the capitol and see this magnificent tree for yourselves and take the time to see those faces who sacrificed everything for us.
