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thedrifter
08-26-08, 07:32 AM
August 26, 2008
Group honors Gold Star moms

By Amanda Joering and Chris Mayhew
ajoering@nky.com

SOUTHGATE - A plaque in honor of five fallen local soldiers now hangs on the wall in the Southgate VFW.

At a ceremony Wednesday, Aug. 20, the Blue Star Mothers of America Northern Kentucky Chapter 5 presented the plague to the mothers of local soldiers who have died in the line of duty.

When a mother's child is killed in action, the mother becomes classified as a Gold Star mother.

"We wanted to do this is as a way to honor the soldiers who have fallen from our tri-county area since our chapter of the group began in November 2006, and offer support to their families," said Kimberly Piol, president of the Northern Kentucky Blue Star Mothers of American chapter.

Piol said the goal of the Blue Star mothers is to support local soldiers oversees and their families at home.

Among the guests of honor was Burlington resident Tina Warndorf, whose son, Marine Cpl. Christopher Tyler Warndorf, was killed in action in Iraq's Al Anbar Province while successfully stopping a suicide bomber attempting to enter a gate Aug. 29, 2006. He had just turned 21, and was serving in his third tour in Iraq.

"Fortunately we were able to speak with him 45 minutes before he was killed," Warndorf said.

The Blue Star mother's compassion and thoughtfulness has been very touching, she said.

"You think you've cried enough tears, and they go and do something more that's helpful," Warndorf said.

From V.F.W. post's support to children's drawings sent to her, Warndorf said she has been comforted by the tremendous empathy and support that people have offered, she said.

"I'm just glad that we live in the community that we do, because I never feel alone," Tina said.

Ellie