The term “Gold Star Family” is a modern reference that comes from the service flag first flown by families during World War I. The flag included a blue star for every immediate family member serving in the armed forces of the United States, during any period of war or hostilities in which the armed forces of the United States were engaged. But in the event of a death, that blue star is replaced with a gold star – the highest honor.

The MSSDAR Hic-A-Sha-Ba-Ha Chapter developed a special memorial service to honor the family of a soldier, Lt. William N. Johnson, who had fallen as a result of the military conflict in Vietnam. The chapter’s Gold Star Family Memorial Service took place on May 1 at the Starkville First United Methodist Church.

Cathy Kemp, second vice-regent, coordinated this program and interacted with the family of the deceased soldier. In addition to family members attending the service were former military service members, colleagues and friends, and interested members of the community. Kemp gave an overview of the program and an introduction of the Gold Star Family and friends of Lt. Johnson, a Starkville native, who was killed in action in Vietnam on January 27, 1968, while serving in the 9th Infantry Division, 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry, B Company. He is honored on Panel 35e, Line 47 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Lt. Johnson’s namesake, William McWhorter, introduced Lt. Johnson to the audience. He was followed by Anne Johnson McWhorter, Lt. Johnson’s sister, who described her brother’s life in Starkville as he grew up and his time at Mississippi State University. Betsy Longest then described an event in which the gentleman who sat next to her at a meeting introduced himself as having been with Lt. Johnson in the hospital and when he died. The communication that later transpired with Johnson’s family helped bring some closure to his loss.

Collier Martin then gave a stirring rendition of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” followed by “Taps,” presented by Kenn Blaman.