A BIT ABOUT US
The PFC Matthew K Guyon Foundation wants to be a catalyst for positive change in our community. In honor of our loved one, we aspire to give back to the organizations that our Matthew cared about & volunteered with.
Our Mission: Private First Class Matthew K Guyon Foundation is a nonprofit organization that gives back to La Porte, Deer Park, & surrounding areas to make a positive impact & help others.
Founders:
John & Milissa Guyon
Gold Star Parents to PFC Matthew K Guyon - US Army
Board of Directors:
John Guyon - President/ Chairman
Milissa Guyon - Vice President/ Secretary/ Accounting
Nicholas Guyon - Board of Directors Member
Scholarship Committee:
Katelyn Guyon (pictured left)
Claudia Leija (pictured right)
What is a Gold Star Family?
The Gold Star family is one that has experienced a loss of a loved one–an immediate family member who died as the result of military service. Those who have died on duty leave behind parents, siblings, spouses, and children. Those left behind are recognized as Gold Star families.
Evolution Of The Gold Star: A tradition dating back to the First World War, military service flags were flown by military families. These flags included blue stars for every family member who served in uniform. Families who had loved ones who died in the line of duty would have the blue star replaced with a gold one.The gold star was and is a signifier that the family has made the ultimate sacrifice. And families often had more than one gold star in their flags. As time went by, the use of the gold star in this way extended to lapel pins and buttons; they are awarded to family members by the military services. In 1947 Congress approved an “official Gold Star Lapel Button,” which formally recognizes service members who lost their lives in combat.A Gold Star lapel button (awarded to next-of-kin) was created in 1973. This version symbolizes active duty service members “who lost their lives in non-combat operations”. Gold Star honors are typically presented to the next-of-kin during the service member’s funeral.