New monument for Gold Star Families unveiled in Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. — A new Gold Star Family monument was unveiled at Veterans Memorial Park in Tampa.

The memorial stands to honor families whose loved ones were killed during active military service.

“The gold star represents their sacrifice and their courage,” said Gold Star Mother Jean Uffalussy. “The symbol of the soldier here that’s hollowed out represents the fact that they’re no longer with us.”

Uffalussy said her son, Staff Sgt. Patrick Dolphin, wanted to join the military since he was a kid.

“He lived his life training himself. He read books on military history,” she said. “He slept in pup tents in the woods with his helmet. He had a night vision helmet, goggles and he had a BB gun.”

Dolphin was a Marine and served for more than 11 years in Iraq and Afghanistan before he paid the ultimate sacrifice in 2011. Uffalussy has been a Gold Star Mother ever since.

“This is a monument to the families that missed their loved ones every day,” Uffalussy said.

Funds were raised for the project by the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County, American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. and dozens of local organizations and volunteers.

“This memorial is really the pinnacle of capturing all the sacrifices that our veterans and their families have endured for defending our freedom,” said Frank Strom, director of Hillsborough County Consumer and Veteran Services.

The Veterans Council’s Gold Star Monument Committee worked in partnership with the Woody Williams Foundation on the new monument.

The foundation hopes to build statues in every state across the country.

It’s a new spot for Uffalussy to reflect and remember her son and all those who died serving our country.

“I think the fact that he died makes those of us that survived try to live a life more worthy,” Uffalussy said

The term Gold Star Families originated during World War I. Families would display a flag with a blue star for a serving military member, and if the service member didn’t make it home, the star was turned to gold. The color change signifies their sacrifice.