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GREG TRAVIS/Ledger & Times
Donna Herndon, left, accepts her Gold Star Mother license plate from Brig. Gen. Les Beavers, U.S. Army (Ret.), commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The presentation came 17 years after her son Roger A. Herndon’s death in military service. |
Herndon recognized for son's service
By GREG TRAVIS
Staff Writer
Donna Herndon was recognized Monday afternoon with a “Gold Star Mother” license plate from the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs. The presentation came 17 years after her son Roger A. Herndon's death in military service.
The Gold Star Mother license plate, which reads ‘Rog H,' honors her son.
Roger Herndon died in a plane crash Aug. 2 1991, while a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
“This is bittersweet,” Donna said, after accepting the license plate from Brig. Gen. Les Beavers, U.S. Army (Ret.), who is commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs and also a West Point graduate.
“There are several here with children who can understand. I'm just so thankful we had him (Roger) for 29 years,” she remarked. “If the Good Lord had said we could only have him for 21 years, I've had said 21 years.”
She told the crowd that her son was a “truly special young man - as are all men and women who have served. Death in the service is an occupational hazard. Our freedom is directly attributed to those who are willing to give their lives.”
Herndon said she was very thankful that members of Murray's 438th Military Police Company returned this week with no losses.
“Roger died doing what he loved. He packed a lot of living in a short time. His life continues to inspire me. It inspires me everyday,” she commented.
She told he group, “There's no place like Murray, Kentucky,” and she explained how her family had received “so much support” from the community.
“Roger was obviously an incredible loss to us. It's only been with God's help and the hands of Christians in this community...” she emotionally commented. “We are just so thankful.”
Beavers presented the personalized plate to Mrs. Herndon as she reached out with an emotional hug with the large crowd of friends and supporters looking on.
In making his presentation, Beavers noted that Roger had a “brilliant and dynamic personality.” He was a “smart and talented individual.” Herndon was studying aerospace engineering and served as photographer for the West Point yearbook “The Howitzer.”
“He left a legacy in his photographs,” Beavers stated. “His classmates will always remember him. He is the epitome of a short life lived well. We lost a young man whose life was precious.”
Beavers said Roger Herndon stood strong before he ever got to West Point - a result of his parents.
Roger Herndon would have graduated with the class of 1992. His graduation ring was donated back to West Point by his mother and father. The ring was placed alongside those of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower and retired Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, Beavers reported.
“West Pointers are bound together to all graduates through academics, leadership development, physical training and a code of ethics. ‘Duty. Honor. Country' was a motto Roger was living under,” Beavers said, as he interjected comments from a classmate who wrote how Roger's smile “would change your day.”
The presentation ceremony took place Monday in the Blackburn Science Building on Murray State University's campus.
Donna Herndon had requested the ceremony take place at Murray State's ROTC program. She is a former staff member at MSU, and her husband and Roger's father, Maj. Clarence W. (Woody) Herndon, U.S. Army (Ret.), is a former cadet battalion commander of MSU ROTC. He served in the Army as an armor officer, was a helicopter pilot and Vietnam veteran.
In April 2006, Kentucky began issuing personalized license plates to Gold Star Mothers, whose children have died in military service. To date, Kentucky has presented more than 40 of the special plates to such mothers.
Beavers noted that the Veterans Department has also implemented a Gold Star Spouse license plate program to go along with its Gold Star Mother program.
Donna Herndon has been extremely involved in the community over the years, serving in an assortment of roles. From the school system, to the Santa Project to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates of Calloway County), Herndon has tediously worked to help others.
Story created Nov 11, 2008 - 11:20:27 EST.
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