Gold Star Memorial Kiosk Unveiling to Honor Fallen Heroes

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (April 4, 2025) –– Manatee County is honored to host the unveiling of the Gold Star Memorial Kiosk, a tribute to the families of fallen service members, in the lobby of the Manatee County Administration Building (1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton) Friday, May 23, 2025, at 10 a.m.

This event will bring together local dignitaries, community leaders, veteran organizations, and Gold Star families to commemorate the sacrifices made by our local heroes. A "Gold Star Family" refers to the immediate family of a U.S. military member who has died while serving in the armed forces, and the term originated during World War I with the use of service flags.

“This is an opportunity to honor those who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” said Manatee County District 4 Commissioner – and Marine Corps Veteran – Mike Rahn (who will also serve as emcee for the event). “We are pleased to unveil this interactive display in time for Memorial Day.”

The kiosk will offer updated biographical information for local Gold Star members organized by War, WWI through 1958 (including WWII and Korean War). Those biographies will be included under their corresponding War in the Memorial. After 1958 the Veteran must have died while engaged in an action against an enemy of the U.S., or while engaged in a military operation involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while in service with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict. Each war will contain a description and details about how Manatee County supported each War. Each war will open to the individual Gold Star Member’s biography.

Local families are invited to help complete the memorial with biographical information, including name, hometown, date of death, age, a uniformed pic, any veterans’ life photos, assigned unit, how they died, details on the life of the veteran and their ties to Manatee County. Information included in the kiosk will be from research and audio interviews with friend(s) and/or family member(s) who wish to contribute the legacy of their loved one. Sound clips from those audio interviews will be included in the Gold Star biography.

The ceremony will feature remarks from key officials and representatives, including other Manatee County Commissioners and Administrators who have served in the armed forces. A Gold Star Family representative and Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., who represents Florida’s 16th Congressional District will also speak prior to the unveiling.

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit online at www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on Twitter, @ManateeGov.