2 Veterans’ Mothers to Visit Memorial

Come Mother’s Day, one woman from Ventura County and another from Kern County will travel to Washington, D.C., to see their sons’ names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for the first time.

Amy Gonzales of Camarillo and Patricia Warton of Lake Isabella are Gold Star Mothers in their 70s who lost children in the Vietnam War.

“That’s the reason we’re going--so they can finally see their sons’ names on the wall,” said Patricia Arnold, who also lost a son in the war and is president of the Oxnard chapter of Gold Star Mothers of America. Arnold of Thousand Oaks will accompany the two as guide.

The women are able to go because of Robert Hammer of Newbury Park. In 1986, Hammer decided to raise funds to send a few Gold Star Mothers to visit the monuments.

Since that date, Hammer has solicited money from anyone who might help: the VFW, the American Legion, and veterans and civic groups.

“So far, 45 mothers have made the trip over the years,” said Hammer, a Vietnam veteran. “We haven’t forgotten their sacrifices.”

The women will also visit Arlington, Mount Vernon and the Kennedy Center. “But clearly the highlight will be to see and touch their sons’ names on the memorial,” said Hammer, who calls the mothers “the real American heroes.”

The women stay in the Gold Star Mothers facility while in Washington and “don’t have to spend one cent,” Arnold said. “Robert makes sure we get the best.”

To donate to the Gold Star Mothers fund, call Hammer at 499-8548. Information on joining the Gold Star Mothers is available at 497-8813.