Gold Star Events

Connecting Gold Star Families

Legacy Events are sponsored occasions that allow Gold Star families to connect with our team and meet other families of the fallen.

We at Legacies Alive believe Gold Star families are the only ones who fully understand the burden they will forever endure. We feel it is our duty as an organization to build upon the support system around these families, therefore we host Legacy Events that allow Gold Star family members to connect with our team, meet other Gold Star family members, and talk about the legacies of their fallen heroes. Legacy Events help foster the healing process for our nation’s Gold Star families and we are proud of the relationships that have developed as a result.

2020 Events

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, many of our activities and events had to be cancelled this year.

In February 2020, we were proud to have a team of Legacies Alive Gold Star families unite to participate in the Windy 25 run in Las Vegas, NV. This event supports a great organization and provides a great time for some of our Gold Star families to unite and share a wonderful weekend together.

On February 29, 2020, before the pandemic shut downs went into place, Legacies Alive was honored to help organize and participate in a bridge dedication ceremony in Beaver County, PA. The Ohio River Bridge was renamed the USAF SSGT Dylan Elchin Memorial Bridge. Dylan gave his life for our freedom on November 27, 2018 in Afghanistan.  

In April, our plans to go to Gatlinburg, TN for the Mountain Man Memorial March had to be cancelled. However, Legacies Alive Team Member US Army MSG Ben Linkous did the full 26.2 mile ruck at Fort Benning, GA. We organized a virtual event and many of our Gold Star families and friends joined Ben to do their own type of ruck at home as well as send Facebook messages and facetime calls to support him. This year’s march was done in honor of USAF SSGT Dylan Elchin. The Pittsburgh, PA Chapter of Legacies Alive did an 8 mile march with Dylan’s Grandfather, Ron Bogolea, and his uncle, Dwayne Bogolea.

In summer of 2020, we had plans for a Gold Star Family Picnic but we will forego those plans this year and hope to bring it back next year.

Our biggest event of the year will be the 2020 Army Navy game in Philadelphia, PA on December 12th.  Planning is full speed ahead as we are optimistic that life will hopefully be back to normal by then.

Annual Legacy Events

Remembering & Celebrating Together

2nd Annual Gold Star Family Picnic - July 2022 (Balloon animals and activities for the kids)

Gold Star Family Picnic

The Family Picnic is the cornerstone Legacy Event that connects Gold Star families each year. Hundreds of Gold Star families, Legacies Alive staff, and supporters come together for a weekend of comradery, encouragement, and healing – all made possible by an army of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. The event, which takes place at a private farm outside of Pittsburgh, features a weekend of activities, food, entertainment, fireworks, and an opportunity to honor and remember the legacies of our fallen heroes.

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Army Navy Game

Every year, Gold Star Families and Legacies Alive supporters from all over the country gather for an Army Navy experience like no other. It is an emotionally charged weekend filled with sharing stories of our American Heroes, uniting Gold Star Families, and fun rivalries. This event provides the Legacies Alive family an opportunity to honor, remember, and celebrate the lives of our Fallen Heroes.

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Mountain Man Memorial March

Mountain Man Memorial March

The Mountain Man Memorial March began as a way to honor 1LT Frank B. Walkup, IV, a 2005 University of Tennessee graduate and ROTC alumnus, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2007 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Upon learning of the death of 1LT Walkup a group of UT Cadets were looking for a way to honor 1LT Walkup and his family and the Mountain Man Memorial March was born. Legacies Alive is proud to participate in this annual event. We encourage our Gold Star families and supporters to join us!

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Other Events

Marine Corps Marathon

2024 Marine Corps Marathon

Join Legacies Alive for the 2024 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. on October 27, 2024! Runners will fundraise to raise support for Legacies Alive projects and events designed to honor the legacy of service members who gave their all to our nation.

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Celebrating Their Legacy Gala 2016

Celebrating Their Legacy Gala

The annual Celebrating Their Legacy Gala was an elegant evening featuring a silent and live auction, gourmet dinner, guest speakers, and entertainment. All proceeds benefit Legacies Alive and its programs that are designed to strengthen and support the Gold Star families of our nation’s fallen heroes and brings national awareness to the life and character of all service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

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Windy25 Memorial 5K - 2020

Windy25 Memorial 5K

Each year, Legacies Alive and several Gold Star families participate in the Windy25 Memorial 5K. Windy25 is committed to sharing and honoring the life legacies of the military’s fallen heroes in lasting tribute to their surviving families, friends, and loved ones. The Windy25 Memorial Fund provides life opportunities, fosters community connections, and honors the legacy of our courageous heroes in tribute to the Windy25 flight.

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Check our News & Stories page for other upcoming events or information