BRUNSWICK

Cindy Small’s son, Andrew, was killed in Afghanistan nearly 12 years ago. Wednesday, June 20, would have been his 31st birthday. But on Saturday, Cindy was at Brunswick Landing for a different milestone connected to her son — the unveiling of Maine’s first Gold Start Families Memorial Marker.

“It’s different than it was back years and years ago,” said Small of Wiscasset, who with her husband was one of two Gold Star families in attendance. “People really want to honor your loved one that you lost, so it makes it very special.

“It’s emotional,” she added. “It was great, and you feel the love from everyone, you really do. You can feel everyone, their heartfelt (efforts) making this for you and the honor that they’re giving your loved one. It’s very special.”

Also in attendance were Diane and Peter Lavallee of Topsham. Peter’s brother Robert was killed in Vietnam.

Located at P-3 Park at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station and sitting in the shadow of a P-3 Orion, the bronze plaque is meant to honor Gold Star families — those whose loved ones died while serving in the military. The memorial stands in a small garden on a plot of land donated by the Mid- coast Regional Redevelopment Agency.

The Harpswell Garden Club and the Garden Club Federation of Maine have worked for the past year to create the site. The Gold Star Families Memorial Marker Project was launched in 2015 by the National Gardens Club along with the Gold Star Families group. The Brunswick marker is the first in Maine, the second in New England and the 29th nationally.

“A tribute to Gold Star Families whose loved one paid the ultimate price defending the United States of America,” reads the marker.

The marker is located outside the Brunswick Naval Museum, where the Harpswell

Garden Club takes care of the Memorial and Friendship gardens.

“This Gold Star marker is only a symbol of the sacrifices these families make every day,” said Harpswell Garden Club President Elisa Civello. “It’s an important reminder to all of us that we live in a free country because of the sacrifices their loves ones made for all of us.”

“Maine’s Gold Star families have sacrificed so much for our nation, and deserve our complete and eternal support,” said U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and co-sponsor of the Gold Star Families Support and Installation Act — legislation that would aid families in receiving military benefits. “This marker in Brunswick will forever mark our respect and appreciation for Gold Star families, and symbolizes our commitment to caring for them with the same dedication that their loved ones served our country.”

Second one in N.E.

• THE HARPSWELL GARDEN CLUB and the Garden Club Federation of Maine have worked for the past year to create the site. The Gold Star Families Memorial Marker Project was launched in 2015 by the National Gardens Club along with the Gold Star Families group. The Brunswick marker is the first in Maine, the second in New England and the 29th nationally.