Bells across America

Today, fallen service members across the nation were remembered during Bells across America ceremonies, including one held this morning at Gulfport’s Naval Construction Battalion Center.
News 25’s Caroline Eaker was there and spoke with a family who still finds comfort in this chance to remember their loved one even now six years later.
‘Never forgotten’ is the motto of the Navy Gold Star program and this saying rings true and close to home for Jennifer Eckman and her daughter who, six years ago, lost a husband and father while he was serving as a Seabee in Gulfport. “If you don’t talk about them then nobody remembers them and it’s important to remember them and remember what they have done and you know everything that they have contributed to everything. He died here. He had a stroke. He was 34-years-old.”
The Navy Gold Star program services the families of all who died while on active duty. Navy Gold Star Coordinator Emily Kolenda said, “For the families, they really want to know that their service member is not forgotten. They are definitely not forgotten for them and so they want the population to also remember the sacrifice that their family gave.”
Service members, family, and friends did just that at the Bells across America service, where more than 80 service members’ names were read in a ceremonial roll call. It’s an opportunity to keep the memory of those like First Class Petty Officer Christopher Eckman alive. “I think it’s also important for Holly to remember his service. She was so young when he passed away. So, I think it’s important to keep her as involved in everything that he loved and did, you know to keep his memory alive,” said Jennifer.
The Eckmans were one of six families in attendance at the Gulfport Seabee Base Thursday, on hand as a bell rang with each late service members’ name, paying tribute to their lives and absence for those still holding tight to their memory.