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FEATURE

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Remembering the fallen

for so many years, it was there but I else … because I know what that hurt is.” anybody to do anything that I can’t on the truck, which is decorated with gold
never acknowledged it because … if I Duncan’s banners first appeard at do or I wouldn’t do. This year, it just stars.
acknowledged it, then it was true.” the Welcome Home Parade in Richmond depends; I’ll do what I can but I will be The Chester Kiwanis Christmas
Duncan set out to find other Gold in May 2012. After receiving a warm there.” Parade (this year’s theme is Parade of
Star families for whom she could make reception from residents and soldiers, she She also never turns a family down the Christmas Toys) is December 10
banners, but her search was not fruitful. participated in the Colonial Heights parade whether the death was in action or by and starts at 2 pm. The parade will
She got in touch and then tried her luck with Chester, and suicide. begin at the Chester YMCA and end at
with someone in she has been involved ever since. “I’ve had it said to me, ‘Well, not all Harrowgate Road, rain or shine.
Fredericksburg “Everybody seems to appreciate [the [of them] were killed in action,’ and it’s
who led her to local banners] and … I want to make sure that true, but they were serving in the military,
Gold Star mothers they’re never forgotten,” Duncan said. they were active duty, so they have as much
Mary Reed and “because our Vietnam veterans have never right for a banner and to be remembered
Helen Newman, and really been recognized, even with this 50th as the others,” Duncan said. “I have some “Historic
eventually Angela anniversary and all this stuff the DoD has who were killed in Afghanistan, but it Fashions of
Bellamy, the Survivor put on. wasn’t due to enemy fire … [but they] gave
JOANN DUNCAN Outreach Services Duncan said she always gets good [their] life for this country so, yes, [they’re] Magnolia
coordinator on Fort feedback at the parades, and her banners entitled to a banner just as much as the rest Grange” Tea
Lee. have also become a popular mainstay of of them, so I never turn a family down.”
Duncan said Bellamy was a big help the Chesterfield County Fair. She said that As Duncan puts the finishing touches Themed teas will be presented
in finding information on fallen soldiers this year Kenny Chandler, the president of on getting things in order for the parade, by costume historian Amanda Powell,
and their families, and she then started the Chesterfield County Fair Association, told even though she is looking forward to it, who has created period clothing for TV
Virginia Fallen Heroes Memorial Banner her the banners are the one thing everyone she said she has a bittersweet feeling about and film, including “Mercy Street, ”
Project in 2012. She currently has 69 asks about. it. Tuesday, Dec. 11, and Wednesday, Dec.
banners, 15 of which are from the Vietnam Duncan does not charge families “It’s something I want to do but on 12, 1-3 p.m.
War, the rest from the Iraq and Afghanistan for the banners, instead raising money the other hand, every time I pull those Magnolia Grange House-Museum,
era, and her goal is to have banners for the through soliciting and fundraisers, and banners out, it just breaks my heart to 10020 Iron Bridge Rd. For more
entire state of Virginia. she said she has sometimes paid for know that each one of them has a family information call 748-1498.
Duncan said her banner project has them out of her own pocket. Duncan that’s hurting because of what happened,
helped her accept her brother’s death, and is so passionate about the banners and and I don’t care how long it’s been, my
the credits her time with Bellamy other Gold Star families that last year, despite brother was killed in 1969, and it still hurts
Gold Star families with allowing her to having had foot surgery and having today as much as it did then,” Duncan said.
open about it. been instructed not to walk, she walked “Yes, I accept it a little bit better now, but Tax problems?
“When I got involved with [the the entirety of the Chester parade. that doesn’t make it go away; it never goes
Gold Star families], that’s when it began “I can’t just sit back and let them away. You go on with your life and you do Are tax problems
to change and Angela pushing me that go and not be part of it, because I am what you have to do, but it’s always in the keeping you awake
‘You’re a part and you need to be a part part of it so I have to be with them,” back of your mind.” at night?
of this, not in the background,’ which my Duncan said. “I can’t sit back and Gold Star families walk in the parade
part is, in the background, I’m not doing it say, ‘You do it and I’ll sit back and holding the banners of their loved ones,
for me to be front and center … my thing watch you do it’. I’m not going to ask and if they are unable to walk, they ride
is doing it for the families, and I’ve had
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