An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Nov. 6, 2019

Gold Star families honored at 10th Survivors Day at the Races

By Staff Sgt. Joshua Horton 123rd Airlift Wing

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Hundreds of Gold Star family members were honored at the 10th annual Survivors Day at the Races at Churchill Downs Nov. 3.

Air Force Gen. Joseph Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau, Army Maj. Gen. Stephen Hogan, Kentucky’s adjutant general, and other military leaders joined the event to pay their respects to the nearly 1,000 family members of fallen service members in attendance.

Activities throughout the day kept attendees entertained, but according to Amy Quimby, the Airman and Family Readiness Program manager for the 123rd Airlift Wing, the opportunities to connect with survivors is what made the event a success.

“It provides support, it connects people who know and understand each other’s loss, and lifelong friendships have been created,” Quimby said. “There are people here who travel from 19 different states. You just see their smiles as they see each other again.

“I had an opportunity to talk to the mother of a service member who was killed,” Quimby said. “This was the first event she attended. Being there has brought some peace to her, knowing that there are other people going through the same thing she is and that they understand.”

The highlight of the program was a race named in honor of the Survivors of Fallen Military Heroes. Family members were randomly selected to present the trophy to the winning jockey and owners in the winner’s circle.

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...