Gold Star Family program helps with healing

by by Airman 1st Class Kimberly Nagle
633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

7/29/2014 - JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS Va. -- July 27, 2013 was a day Richard and Judy Rynal will always remember the day they learned their daughter, U.S. Army Sgt. Caryn Nouv from the 359th Transportation Company out of Fort Eustis, Virginia, was killed while deployed to Afghanistan.

"I was in the garage getting ready for Sunday school the next morning when I heard some rustling coming from out front--I figured it was my neighbors," Judy recalled. "But then I saw them--I said to [the men who delivered the message], 'I know you only come out if something really bad happened.' They responded with the information of my daughter's fatality. From that point on everything kind of felt like a blur."

Richard then went upstairs to tell Nouv's youngest child, Derrik of the news of his mother.

"He said, 'Pa-Pa, that's not my mom, that is just someone who looks like her, right?'" said Richard.

In the days following, their house filled with neighbors and friends to help the family cope and accept the news of their daughter's passing.

Shortly after learning of their daughter's death, the family was contacted by Rochelle Crockett, Fort Eustis Survivor Outreach Services support coordinator. From there, they became a part of the Gold Star Family program.

Through the services provided by For Eustis' Gold Star Family program, Nouv's family has been able to start the journey to recovery. The SOS and the Gold Star Family program is for families of Service members who have lost their lives, and is designed to help the family of the fallen Service member with all of the planning, finances and counseling they need to cope with their loss.

"We received more than 100 sympathy letters from other Gold Star families," said Judy.

"We never knew the SOS program existed, but now that we do, they are so dedicated to providing support to us," Richard added. "I just can't get over the amount of support the Army has provided [our family]."

The Gold Star Family program hosts various events, including luncheons, invitations to post events and appreciation nights at sporting events, like the Peninsula Pilot baseball team's 2nd Annual Gold Star Family Appreciation Night

While attending events held by the Gold Star Family program, Nouv's children interacted with other children who have experienced similar circumstances.

"The kids may not know each other's stories, or even their name, but it is nice for them to at least have someone around who may understand," said Judy.

Although the family is still healing, they said they are grateful for SOS services help.