Gold Star ceremony

Mount Pleasant's Ministering Our Military (MOM) held a Gold Star Luminary Initiative Sunday night, Sept. 27, starting at 7:45 p.m., at the Titus County Courthouse. On Gold Star Mothers' Day, marked on the last Sunday of September, the community honors those who have lost a son or daughter fighting in the military.

The sidewalk around the courthouse was lined with luminaries, as the ceremony was held at the war memorial at the southwest corner of the square. Vietnam veteran James Kirkland led the prayer.

There was a large turnout on the downtown square for the event.

MOM President Kellye Cooper led the attendees in a walk around the courthouse - and the luminaries - before the start of the event.

Kristian Marshall sang the national anthem.

Jeremy Thomas red the text of the official Presidential Proclamation designating Gold Star Mother Day.

Suzette McCauley sang the well-known hymn "It is Well (with my soul)."

The special speaker was Tommy Oglesby, pastor of the South Jefferson Baptist Church.

Tommy Mays, whose son Chauncey Mays was killed in Afghanistan in 2011, presided over the wreath laying.

The Gold Star Initiative Wreath.