Local Veterans and Families Gather to Honor Sacrifices at Upcoming Gold Star Ceremony Set September 27
By Steve Wilson // September 23, 2026
Veterans Memorial Park in City of Cape Canaveral to Host Event at 10AM
Challenger 7 Post 348 of the American Legion Family has announced it will host a Gold Star Family Ceremony to honor the ultimate sacrifices made by members of the United States Armed Forces and the families they left behind. The community event is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 10 a.m. and will take place at the Veterans Memorial Park, located on Polk Avenue in Cape Canaveral.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Challenger 7 Post 348 of the American Legion Family has announced it will host a Gold Star Family Ceremony to honor the ultimate sacrifices made by members of the United States Armed Forces and the families they left behind. The community event is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 10 a.m. and will take place at the Veterans Memorial Park, located on Polk Avenue in Cape Canaveral.
The Gold Star tradition dates back to World War I, when families displayed service flags featuring a blue star for every active military member. If a service member was lost in the line of duty, the blue star was replaced with a gold one, symbolizing the family’s profound loss and sacrifice.
Organizers from Challenger 7 Post 348, usually based at 105 Lincoln Ave, are inviting the public to attend. The ceremony offers a dedicated space for community members to stand alongside local Gold Star families, reflect on the costs of freedom, and ensure that the legacies of fallen heroes are never forgotten.
“Help us honor those who gave their all,” the American Legion Family shared in a statement, encouraging residents, veterans, and supporters to join together for the morning remembrance.
This article is sponsored by Erdman Automotive and Craig Technologies.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia. He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.
Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.
Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.
He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 27 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.
The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.
