Gary
Statement from the Swanson’s:
The Swanson family would like to thank Governor O’Malley for his leadership, compassion and commitment to the Veterans and Gold Star families of our great state of Maryland.
Under the Governors leadership this past year, many dedicated and committed officials from our state government have worked tirelessly to implement a special new license plate. This license plate will honor the sacrifices of loved ones who have given their lives in service of our great country. This new license plate is proudly called “Gold Star Family”.
This moment is made possible in particular by the efforts of three men: State Delegate Robert Costa, Mr. Jim Adkins, and Mr. John Porcari. Along with their staffs, they have worked with our family to make sure that the Veterans that have given their lives for our country and our great state were honored in this fashion. As citizens of Maryland, we should be proud to have these men serving us, not just for their commitment to this issue but for the passion and commitment they have for our states veterans and their families. These men also show the same passion day in and day out addressing concerns and issues from all Marylanders.
A special thank you goes to Mrs. Carol Roddy, President of the states Gold Star Mothers who lost her son (David) on 09/16/06. Her vision to reactivate the states chapter after it was disbanded some years ago is a resource and gives so much comfort to the mothers who bear the loss of their child in the service of our country.
The request for Gold Star License Plates was started by Mr. Gary Swanson during the process of starting a family foundation that was set up to honor our veterans. The request was a means to provide comfort and purpose to his wife (Kelly) the mother of Christopher W. Swanson who was killed in Iraq on 07/22/06 while serving his third tour and for all of the states Gold Star Families. Gary and Kelly lost their son, SSG Christopher W. Swanson in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Chris was a proud citizen of the United States and the State of Maryland. He was raised in Rose Haven, Maryland and graduated from Southern High School in Harwood, Maryland.
In September 2006, it was discovered that Maryland had no license plates that would honor their citizens that were killed in combat. Although there were several combat related specialty plates, there was nothing to group this class into the existing category. Therefore, this effort was started to give honor to those who loved their great state of Maryland and to honor them and their families for their sacrifice.
Since the death our son and brother, there are two themes that Gary Swanson has stated time and time again. They are as follows:
1. All of us have experienced adversity and tragedy. It is what you do with these adversities and tragedies that define you from that moment on. Faith and prayer play a large part in the healing process. In addition to our faith, we are thankful for the continuing support from our community, friends and of course, our country and state for reaching out to us. This is what sustains us through our hardest times.
Our son, SSG Christopher W. Swanson believed in his mission and loved leading his men. On his personal web site he stated “These men are my life right now, I would do anything for them, even if it means giving my life for theirs”. One of his favorite Bible passage is found in John 15:13: “No Greater love hath any man than this - that a man lay down his life for his friends”. Because Chris did lay down his life for his country and friends, we as a family have had a passion to continue his mission – to give back to those who have always meant so much to Chris and our Family – our Veterans.
The Foundation that our family started to honor our fallen heroes and Veterans is called: “SSG Christopher W. Swanson Support Charities for Veterans and their Families, INC.” The foundation website is www.ssgswansonveterancharities.org. By visiting this website you will discover the passion we have for this project in our Mission and Vision Statements.
2. Something that Gary has said since the death of Chris is: “THAT IT’S OK TO HATE WAR BUT YOU HAVE GOT TO LOVE THE WARRIOR!” So, as you can see this is what the Swanson family does to deal with the everyday hurt. Working to help our Veterans and their Families and in doing for others is certainly a way to give our family comfort.
Once again, on behalf this Gold Star Family and all Gold Star Families throughout our great state, Thank you for a job well done!
Proud Family of an American Soldier and Hero
Gary, Kelly and Kenneth Swanson
www.ssgswansonveterancharities.org
www.arlingtoncemetery.net/cwswanson
Tuesday, December 18,
2007 12:29 PM
Governor O'Malley, Veterans Affairs Unveil Gold Star License Plate
GOVERNOR O’MALLEY, VETERANS AFFAIRS UNVEIL
GOLD STAR LICENSE PLATE
ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 18, 2007) – Governor Martin O’Malley and Lt. Governor Brown, joined by Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary James Adkins and MVA Administrator John Kuo, today unveiled the Gold Star Family license plate to recognize and honor the service and sacrifice of those Maryland families who have been awarded the Gold Star pin by the U.S. Department of Defense. Maryland has numerous military and veteran-related license plates. Until now, there was no plate to recognize the sacrifice of Maryland’s Gold Star Families.
“I am honored to unveil the Gold Star license plate today to pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation and their families,” said Governor O’Malley. “This license plate will give our families and our fellow citizens one more opportunity to honor those we had the privilege to call our friends, our neighbors and our loved ones. We would not be the strong state we are today, if it was not for generations of common Americans who have achieved uncommon things. This recognition is the least we can offer in remembrance of these fallen soldiers’ loved ones.”
To honor those Maryland families, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration has partnered with the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs to design the license plate. The idea for the Gold Star Family license plate came from the family of Staff Sergeant Christopher Swanson who was killed during his third tour in Iraq in July of 2006.
“I have spent 23 years in uniform and served for 10 months in Iraq,” Lt. Governor Brown said. “Every day of every week during my career in public service has been driven by the articulation of duty and patriotism by Maryland’s armed service members and I’m proud of the commitment Governor O’Malley has made to Maryland’s veterans. The Gold Star License Plate is a simple, yet profound, way to honor our heroes.”
“For hundreds of years, Marylanders have heeded their nation’s call to duty. Today a new generation has answered the call and it is Maryland’s duty to ensure that their service and sacrifice is appreciated. This license plate is just another way to thank and honor all Maryland veterans and their families for their unselfish service,” said Secretary Adkins.
“The Maryland license plate offers a unique form of recognition and it is appropriate for the State to honor our nation’s fallen and their families in this special way,” said Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari. “The constant visibility of these special plates on vehicles across the state will help remind Marylanders and others that many of our sons and daughters have made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.”
The Department of Defense, under the authority of the U.S. Code, presents the Gold Star pin to immediate family members of service personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country. Ninety Marylanders have died in our most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. For those families who elect to display a Gold Star Family license plate, it is one more opportunity to honor their loved one. It also allows fellow Marylanders to recognize and honor these families for their almost unbearable sacrifice for the sake of our future and our freedom.
Gold Star plates are issued to parents, children, or spouses of members of the military who were killed in action during wartime service. Each person who meets the requirements under the Federal Gold Star DD Form 3 is eligible to purchase a plate. The plates may only be obtained through the Glen Burnie MVA Headquarters. The plate will be available February 2008. The Motor Vehicle Administration will begin taking applications on December 19, 2007.