Gold Star Mothers Honored At Queens Ceremony

Queens mothers, four of whom joined by grief for the ultimate sacrifice paid by their sons, were honored with American Gold Stars at a ceremony in Jackson Heights on December 8, a tribute from a grateful nation while serving in the U.S. military in Iraq.

A fifth mother, Maria del Rosario Duran, of Jackson Heights, was also presented with a Gold Star at the ceremony since her son, Specialist Alex Jiminez, has been missing in action (MIA) since his unit was ambushed in Iraq last May.

Roselle Calero, Queens Village, mother of Major Jeffrey Calero; Martha Clark, Jackson Heights, mother of Specialist Jonathan Rivandeneira; Maria Gomez, Corona, mother of Sergeant Jose Gomez and Gladys Ciro, Corona, mother of Specialist Marion Rustamante and Duran received the honors at the 2007 graduation ceremony of the New York Military Youth Cadets a non-profit, multicultural, community-based organization that provides military programs for youths ages 12 to 18.

Calero thanked those gathered at the ceremony at St. Mark's Church in Jackson Heights for the honor. She said, "Yes, I had to be here today for my son, for myself and for every mother who has ever endured the pain of losing a child in a military conflict."

Command Sergeant Major Juan Caez of the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hamilton made the presentation, telling the audience, "At a moment's notice, they're gone. And the mothers have to deal with the pain."

The New York Military Youth Cadet program was established in 2001 as an alternative to youngsters spending their time on street corners, said group founder, Commander Aliria Orduria. The focus of the program is to instill self-confidence, discipline, respect for society and leadership in cadets, who are required to perform outreach services to the community.

- Liz Goff