Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, the passage of time has changed many things. But for Gold Star Families, one thing remains unchanged: the love they carry for the Heroes they lost.
To show our enduring support that we stand with Gold Star Families, the National Infantry Museum’s 2026 GWOT Memorial Rededication weekend, Gold Star Families from across the country gathered for a weekend of fellowship surrounding the annual rededication of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial. As our nation marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the weekend offered a powerful reminder that behind every name on a memorial is a family—and behind every family is a story of love and enduring loss.
A Weekend for Gold Star Families
The weekend began with the National Infantry Museum’s Gold Star Family Dinner, bringing families together in a setting created specifically for them. There was space to remember their loved ones. Space to share stories. Space to laugh and to reconnect with others who understand a journey that few can truly know.
The evening was capped by four deeply personal reflections from within the Gold Star community. Guests heard stories of loss from different stages of the Gold Star journey, from families who have carried their loss for many years to those navigating it more recently. At the heart of each story was a message of perseverance—the courage to keep moving forward while still making room for joy.
As the evening concluded, guests were invited to experience the Global War on Terrorism Memorial after dark, where the names of the fallen took on a quiet presence beneath the night sky. Surrounded by the names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, Gold Star families had an opportunity to remember together—a powerful close to an evening centered on honoring their loved ones.
The following morning, those families along with the Columbus community and military representatives from all services gathered at Inouye Field for the annual rededication ceremony of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial.
The Memorial stands on the grounds of the National Infantry Museum as a place to honor the 7,097 service members who gave their lives in the Global War on Terrorism. This year, 29 additional names were added to the Memorial. Each name represents a life of significance and a family forever changed.
For some, the weekend offered the chance to meet other families for the first time. For others, it was a reunion with a community that has grown around a shared bond. And throughout the evening, one message was clear: They are not alone.
25 Years Since 9/11
This year’s ceremony carried particular weight as America marked 25 years since the attacks of September 11th. For those who lost loved ones on 9/11, the day remains incredibly personal. For the families who lost service members in the years that followed, its impact has been woven into their own stories of sacrifice.
A quarter-century later, a new generation is growing up without firsthand memories of that September morning. But Gold Star Families continue to carry the memories forward. They ensure that their loved ones are remembered not only for how they died, but for how they lived.
That is why the Global War on Terrorism Memorial matters. It gives these families a place where their loved ones’ names will remain and their stories can be shared.
Making the Weekend Possible
Behind the weekend full of remembrance was a community that believes Gold Star Families deserve to be supported. The National Infantry Museum is profoundly grateful to the donors, sponsors, volunteers and community partners whose generosity helped make the weekend possible.
Their support does more than make an event possible. It helps create a place where Gold Star Families know their loved ones’ sacrifices will never be forgotten. Thank you to our 2026 sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor
- Lockwood Partners
Three-Star Sponsors
- Mr. Dave Erickson
- Liberty Utilities
- Hughston Clinic
- Charron Family Outreach Foundation
Two-Star Sponsors
- Pinnacle Financial Partners + Synovus
Table Sponsors
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We also extend our gratitude to the National Infantry Museum Foundation’s Premier and Sustaining Partners for their continued support of the Museum’s mission, programs, and events.
2026 Global War on Terrorism Memorial Rededication Gallery
We Remember
The Gold Star Families who gathered at the National Infantry Museum last weekend carry something that cannot be measured in words. They carry the memories of the people they love. They carry their legacy.
Twenty-five years after 9/11, their presence reminds us that history is not simply something we look back on. It lives in the people who continue to carry it forward. At the National Infantry Museum, we are honored to stand with these families and to help preserve the stories of their Heroes.
We will continue to say their names.
We will continue to honor their service.
And we will continue to stand beside the families who carry their legacy.
If you would like more information on how to support the weekend events for our honored families, please contact our Development Department.
If you are a Gold Star or Surviving Family Member and would like more information on this weekend or to attend our next event, please contact us here.