Tricia Jones will never forget seeing her brother’s picture on the Jumbotron at Fenway park while the national anthem played. Jones and her parents, Alan and Kim Bean, and her children, Bree and Carson, attended the game in 2018 in honor of their family member, U.S. Army SPC Alan Bean Jr., who was killed in action in 2004 in Iraq.
They Joneses were one of many Gold Star Families from Vermont to attend the game sponsored by the Vermont National Guard Charitable Foundation (VTNGCF). A Gold Star Family is one that has lost an immediate family member in the line of duty during military service.
“The trip to the Red Sox game was an amazing opportunity for my family, especially my mom who is a lifelong Red Sox fan, but had never been to Fenway before. Her excitement over being there is my greatest memory of the trip,” Jones recalled of the day. “Additionally, we were able to connect with other fallen families that we had yet to meet; those connections fostered new friendships that have lasted for years since.”
The Bean family attended a Red Sox game in 2018 in honor of their family member, Spc. Alan N. Bean Jr. who died unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 25, 2004, in Iskandariya, Iraq, while serving with the 1/86th Field Artillery Unit that was deployed from Vermont in January of 2004.
Spc. Alan N. Bean Jr.
Trips to Red Sox games were sponsored by VTNGCF on Memorial Day weekend in 2016 and 2018, so Gold Star Families could experience a game in their loved one’s honor.
“Losing a loved one is never easy, but for those who have lost a family member in the line of duty, the pain can be especially sharp,” Natalie Harder, VTNGCF board member, said. “These games were opportunities for the families to come together and remember their loved ones in a unique and memorable way. It also allowed them to see firsthand the appreciation that people have for their sacrifice.”
David Leonard, the Vermont National Guard Family Programs director, supports the needs of active service members and veterans, and attended the 2018 game to represent a Gold Star Family that couldn’t make it. The families were treated to a VIP experience, including a tour of the park and a meeting with Red Sox players.
“The charitable foundation worked closely with the Red Sox to provide transportation to the game, free tickets, and set it up so each family went out on the field with a team member from the Boston Red Sox,” Leonard said. “We were stretched from third base across the pitcher mound to first base, and they had an incredible announcement to acknowledge the families. It was an incredible day, and the Gold Star Families were so appreciative of what took place.”
Kim Bean poses for a photo with a Red Sox player. Each Gold Star Family was paired with a player and honored on the field.
Tammie Conner, former Vermont National Guard survivor outreach services coordinator, also attended the 2018 game in honor of a fallen hero and says the Foundation’s work is making a difference in the lives of Gold Star Families and helping to ensure that their loved ones will never be forgotten.
“It was an honor to be a part of this experience,” Conner said. “To help families remember their soldiers in such a positive way is amazing. Never forgotten, never alone.”
The trip to Fenway Park is just one way VTNGCF is helping to support Gold Star Families and they hope to support additional survivor events in the future. VTNGCF also maintains the Vermont National Guard Fallen Heroes Memorial located in Colchester, Vermont, and works closely with Family Programs to provide emergency financial grants to Vermont military members and their families.
Photo Gallery: Gold Star Families at Red Sox Games
Photos courtesy of Zen and Chaos Studios