An Eldrige nonprofit is planning a weekend to honor area Gold Star families while raising awareness about veterans and suicide.
Anonymously Grateful, a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization, is hosting its first Gold Star Family Banquet on Friday, September 6th at Rolling Meadows Event Center, 657 S. 16th Avenue in Eldridge. The group honors Gold Star families and raises awareness of veteran suicide rates by connecting to local veterans in need.
The banquet will honor the local families of:
- Sgt Bradley Korthaus, a 1992 Assumption High School graduate who died in 2003,
- PFC Katie Soenksen, a 2005 North High School graduate who died in 2007, and
- Cpl. Benjamin Hess, a 2019 Mercer County High School graduate who died in 2022.
There will be an Honor Ride on Saturday, September 7 and all vehicles are welcome to join and fly their flags. Riders should gather at 9 a.m. at the Eldridge Community Center, 400 16th Avenue, and the ride departs at 11 a.m.
Double Barrel Drinkery, 350 E. LeClaire Road, suite 1 in Eldridge, will host the Anonymously Grateful Post Party after the Honor Ride. An outdoor stage will host live music from Press Record, JD Aguilera (both are veterans) and Angela Meyer. Mexies and Floyd’s Burgers will be onsite as well.
Click here for more information on Anonymously Grateful, including veteran resources and events.