Audio Tour Part Four

Full Audio Tour

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Memorial Home

Audio Tour Part Four

To begin Part Four of the audio tour, move now to the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument which is located on the west side of the Veterans Memorial.

The GOLD STAR FAMILIES MEMORIAL MONUMENT was dedicated in 2021. The term “Gold Star Family” is a modern reference that comes from the Service Flag or Banners that were first flown by families during World War I. The flag included a blue star for every immediate family member then serving in the United States Armed Forces during any period of war or hostilities. If a loved one died, the blue star was replaced by a gold star. This allowed members of the community to understand the price that the family had paid in the cause of freedom.

This granite monument honors and recognizes all Gold Star Families and Relatives, who sacrificed a loved one while they served in the United States Armed Forces. This monument provides a quiet place to honor them, regardless of where across the country the service member called home.

This granite monument tells the Gold Star family story through four separate panels: a depiction of the Homeland including images of Frisco … Family … Patriot … and Sacrifice. Each represents the heartfelt loss of a loved one. At the center of this tribute, is the silhouette of a saluting service member, cut out of the granite, representing the legacy of the loved one who paid the ultimate sacrifice and the family void created by their loss. A separate granite figure is saluting back in honor of that missing loved one.

There is a fundamental truth we need to remember about our Armed Forces in America. Our Nation stands free on the shoulders of our Armed Forces. Our Armed Forces stand on the shoulders of our warriors. Our warriors stand on the shoulders of their families that helped build the core values that draw our warriors to serve.

This monument was added in conjunction with the local Frisco Gold Star Families and the Herschel “Woody” Williams Foundation. It is the 81st such monument to be dedicated in the United States. Mr. Williams (a Marine) known as the last living World War II Medal of Honor recipient for his valiant devotion to duty and for his actions on Iwo Jima during World War II.

Our nation honors Gold Star Mothers and Families Day on the last Sunday of September, and Gold Star Spouses Day on April 5.

Please move to the World War II FLYBOY statue, located on the east side of the Memorial. It is easily reached by following the walkway around the front of the Memorial.

This statue was dedicated on December 7, 2016, in recognition of the 75th observance of the attack on Pearl Harbor which resulted in America’s declaration of war on Japan. Three days later, our nation declared war against Germany. The dedication of this statue, a representation of a World War II Army Air Corps navigator, constituted the completion of Frisco resident Nicholas Morrow’s Boy Scouts of America Eagle Project.

During the peak of World War II, being a member of a heavy bomber crew meant you were incredibly brave, and you put your country over yourself — it was that dangerous. The average age of bomber crew members was just over 20 years old. Aviation was still in its infancy during the 1930s. Only a tiny fraction of Americans had ever been on an airplane. As a result, approximately 15,000 young airmen died in bomber non-combat bomber training or flights in the United States. The cause of death was generally pilot error or mechanical failure. Captain Jerral Derryberry, brother of Lee Harold Derryberry—whose name is included on the Frisco Wall of Honor, was killed in crash in California that followed an engine failure on his plane. Captain Derryberry ferried planes across the Atlantic, as well as flying combat missions over occupied France. He is not listed on the Wall of Honor, since his death was not combat related.

Combat bomber flight crews lost nearly 70 percent of their airmen by being either killed or labeled as missing in action. In total, bomber command aircrews suffered a loss of over 57,000 killed.

Before concluding your audio tour of the Frisco Veterans Memorial, please consider two veteran comments.

First, a long time Frisco resident, retired United States Army Colonel JP Hogan, shared his overall reflections about the Memorial:

"Standing at the top of the Pavilion stairs, looking toward the Memorial and seeing the Battlefield Cross framed in that picture, I felt a deep sense of wonder and gratitude for the commitment and patriotism of those who have, and continue to, serve. And I felt a sense of personal pride in being part of that team.

And I thanked God for our warriors for their courage and commitment; the citizens and the City of Frisco for their commitment to our warriors, The State of Texas; and the United States of America.

I then reflected on the promise that America represents to many around the world. In spite of the trials and tribulations we routinely face as a nation, people from around the globe continue to seek entry."

Finally, a United States Marine Corps Vietnam veteran shared his poignant thoughts about the Frisco Veterans Memorial American flag:

“When I visit the Memorial and look up to see the American flag waving, I am reminded of it being a symbol of what so many have died to protect. I think about the caskets of our fallen patriots draped with the flag, and realize the flag before me still waves because of their sacrifice.”

I am Harry Jacobs and I have had the privilege to accompany you on this tour. The City of Frisco Veterans Advisory Committee would like to express its appreciation for the support of IEBA Communications, the MBMI Companies, and others who made this audio tour available.

This concludes the final portion of the Frisco Veterans Memorial audio tour. Thank you for taking the time to listen. Hopefully, you leave the Memorial knowing it is a living tribute, and not simply a part of a nice park in Frisco. If you found this audio tour interesting and informative, please tell others about your experience.

Memorial Home