How I Honor Our Fallen on Memorial Day - A Gold Star Wife’s Perspective

As a Gold Star spouse whose husband gave the ultimate sacrifice almost 10 years ago, Memorial Day holds special significance for me.

Celebrating the many freedoms we enjoy in our country always leads me back to gratitude for the men and women of our military - people who voluntarily sign up because they love their country and they’re ready to serve. My husband, Navy LCDR Landon Jones, was one of those people.

I admit, gratitude has not always come easily for me. When Landon died in a helicopter training accident in 2013, it was life shattering. My sons were so young, 6 years and 2 months old, when we learned their father was never coming home.

During that first year after Landon’s death, I was consumed by grief, reading countless reports and searching for a “reason” surrounding his accident. In 2014, I met a fellow Gold Star spouse, who told me about Travis Manion Foundation (TMF). I felt drawn to the organization when I learned it was led by two Gold Star family members, people who could understand my grief and all the emotions that came with it.

It took me another whole year to feel like I was ready to engage with the world again. I went on a TMF Survivor Expedition for family members of the fallen and began participating in community service projects. In the years that have followed, I’ve found a true family and I’ve leaned into honoring Landon through beach clean-ups, food distributions, clothing drives, and other service opportunities. I’ve pushed myself physically by running the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) and helping rebuild homes alongside other survivors. I’ve found purpose and meaning by continuing his legacy of service.

I’ve also involved my two sons in my commitment to serve. I can tell you, 100%, my life would be very different if I had never adopted this new calling and connected with TMF - and I can say the same for my kids. The organization - and the community of support I have found in it - has played a critical role in my healing journey.

There is one project, though, that’s especially close to my heart. For the past two Memorial Days, I’ve volunteered with TMF to honor our fallen heroes through #TheHonorProject. Alongside other families of the fallen, veterans, and people who simply have a calling to serve, I spend Memorial Day weekend placing commemorative tokens at the resting places of fallen heroes, and pausing to honor their service and sacrifice. You can learn more here: https://rly.pt/TMFHonorProject

For me, #TheHonorProject is special. It’s not only a way for my sons and I to honor Landon on a special day of remembrance; it offers us a chance to see other people outside of our family honor his sacrifice. I can’t explain what that means to all of us.

When I think of and honor Landon now, it no longer comes from a place of sadness. It comes from a place of pride and gratitude for knowing him, being thankful for the time I had with him, and the opportunity to serve my community in his name. Join me and TMF in #TheHonorProject this Memorial Day to honor all our fallen, and to show our families of the fallen that these heroes are not forgotten.