Woodmen Life honors Gold Star Families with banquet

WINGATE — WoodmenLife Insurance Wadesboro Chapter 4 sponsored Anson County High School’s annual Gold Star Banquet this Thursday.

This year’s game is the Anson Bearcats second home game of the season and will be played against the Albemarle Bulldogs Friday night. Each year four outstanding players are chosen by their coaches to represent fallen soldiers at the Gold Star/First Responders game. The banquet is held in honor of the Gold Star Families and the players chosen to represent their loved one.

The gold star tradition dates back to WW1 when American families with service members hung banners with blue stars outside their homes in recognition of their service members. If their loved one died in combat, the blue stars would change to gold. The term “Gold Star Family” came out of WW1, denoting families whose loved ones died in combat. When the war ended, gold star mothers’ worked together to incorporate the group in 1928.

The Gold Star Game was created in honor of local military heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States and their families, and is one small way Americans can ensure the nation’s heroes are never forgotten. During the Gold Star Game each player will be introduced by the name of the fallen hero he is representing. When a play is made, the present-day athlete’s name will not be announced; instead, the name of the hero he is playing for will be heard.

This year’s players are senior offensive lineman/linebacker Aiden Purser – representing PFC Michael T. Evans, who served in Vietnam, senior running back/defensive cack Kendrick Maye – representing PFC Kenneth J Foutz, who served in World War II, senior linebacker/tight end Gabriel Maxwell – representing PVT Jesse J. Fulk, who served in World War II, and senior linebacker/receiver Dequan McKever – representing PFC Robert G. Burr, who served in Vietnam.

“I feel honored to represent a family that lost a soldier. I hope to play good for him and honor his name.” Looking to accomplish at least 15 tackles and maybe a touchdown for Robert G. Burr, Dequan says he is considering Clemson University after high school. “I’m keeping my options open,” Dequan McKever said,

McKever’s mother, Dominique Wall, could not be prouder of her son.

“He loves playing football. He’s been playing since the age of four,” Wall said.

Wingate University’s “winning-est coach” Joe Reicht was the key speaker for the banquet. He described being a young man when he watched the boys he saw his own father coach become men as they signed up to serve in Vietnam after high school graduation. Reicht remembers seeing them have the courage to act against their fear of going off to war.

“The dividing line between words and actions is courage,” said Riecht, who encouraged players to start small by looking inward to determine how they are treating their family members and friends. “… Are you treating them with compassion? You have an opportunity to make an impact in this world. You can make an impact by starting small and choosing to act courageously.”

WoodmenLife is a non-profit insurance company with chapters in Marshville and Wadesboro. Each year the two chapters alternate between hosting the banquet and hosting the tailgate party before the start of the Gold Star Game. This year’s banquet was hosted by WoodmenLife Wadesboro Chapter 4 whose team worked hard to prepare delicious chopped BBQ plates with homemade slaw, served on tables tinged with gold and decorated in Bearcat colors. Marshville Chapter 70 is hosting this year’s tailgate starting at 6 p.m. Friday, with the Gold Star Game kick off at 7:30 p.m. The half-time show will feature a United States flag presentation and a special Anson County band performance.