Across the US, there are thousands of Gold Star Families who are battling grief for family members who have died in military activities. In many scenarios, there is very little recognition for the sacrifices they have made, just a burial and a flag. Jim Crigler, author of “Echoes on the Water,” discussed his book and his journey to correct this when speaking to Winona community members on Nov. 6.
Crigler was drafted into the Vietnam War and served as an army helicopter pilot between 1971 and 1972. He met his first Gold Star Family after escorting the remains of his roommate home from war, a memory that had stuck with him and encouraged him to make a difference for these families and the losses they have suffered. “The good Lord only gives us one chance in this life to make a difference, and I decided that I wanted to make a difference with my life,” Crigler said.
In speaking with a friend, Crigler was given the idea to take a canoe and paddle up the Mississippi River from Winona to the headwaters, campaigning and raising awareness for Gold Star Families. In doing this, Crigler was able to meet with hundreds of families who lost their children to war, to honor them and give them gold star pins which read, ‘We honor a great sacrifice that you and your family have endured to protect our freedoms.’
“I wanted something to leave with these families when I met them,” Crigler commented. He gained the attention of media platforms and helped to raise money and awareness for Gold Star Families.
Crigler reflected on his journey, recognizing it as a healing process for him after serving in Vietnam. There were many moments throughout his journey that he wanted to give up, but the interactions that he had with people and through the support of the media, Crigler found the strength and inspiration to continue paddling and helping these Gold Star Families. He was making a difference in people’s lives and continues to do so by sharing his story.
Grace Ahrens, a first year at Winona State University, had heard of the event in her US History course, and had volunteered to help with the Q&A session at the end of the presentation. The community that had attended was extremely supportive. “Everyone was just invested in his story and there was a lot of respect and solidarity for the cause that he was honoring and the awareness he was trying to raise,” Ahrens said. She had found the presentation interesting and important, finding value in understanding PTSD that resides within a person, especially someone who has served in war, and the way that can be channeled into something that is healing for not only yourself but other people who share similar struggles.
“The war was just like living inside of [Vietnam veterans],” Ahrens said, “and by honoring those fallen veterans and honoring the Gold Star Families by giving out the coins, he was able to lay the war to rest a little bit inside of all of these people.”
