As St. Louis’ Soldiers Memorial adds 254 names, Gold Star families grieve, and remember

For many Americans, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer. Retailers see the long weekend as an opportunity to attract customers with sales, and families pull out the grill and entertain guests as spring settles into warmer weather.

Members of Gold Star Families — families that have lost an immediate family member in active duty — hold Memorial Day in high regard. It’s a day to honor their loved ones, even those whose fate remains a mystery.

Until recently, the Court of Honor at Soldiers Memorial listed 214 names of St. Louisans who gave the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War. That changes this weekend with a special observation of 254 newly identified fallen soldiers.

Director of Soldiers Memorial Mark Sundlov told St. Louis on the Air that the Court of Honor update to the Vietnam War memorial took decades of research, advancement in DNA technology, accessible databases and grassroots efforts.