FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky National Guard held its annual Memorial Day ceremony Monday in Frankfort at the Boone National Guard Center. Speakers, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, honored men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military and recognized Gold Star families in attendance. 

Lynn Romans’ son Darrin Potter is one of 273 names on the Kentucky National Guard Memorial located at Boone National Guard Center. The memorial served as the backdrop for Kentucky National Guard’s Memorial Day ceremony. 

“He was the first Kentucky Guardsman killed in action since Vietnam,” Romans told Spectrum News 1. She said that her 24-year-old son was killed on Sept. 29, 2003, in Iraq when a vehicle he was in overturned into a canal, which led to him drowning.

Gold Star mother Lynn Romans points to her son’s name on the Kentucky National Guard Memorial located in Frankfort, Ky. National Guardsman Darrin Potter was killed on Sept. 29, 2003 while serving in Iraq. (Lynn Romans)

“You know, probably prior to his death, I think Memorial Day was just another holiday like a lot of people think. You know, it’s the beginning of summer, a time to get together, a long weekend, but now it’s much more important to me,” Romans said.

Romans was one of over 100 in attendance, from Gold Star families like herself to Beshear, to remember and honor fallen soldiers Monday.

“The Kentucky sons and daughters who redefined for each of their generations the very meanings of patriotism of love and of sacrifice. These soldiers represent the very best of Kentucky, and I believe the very best of America,” Beshear said during his speech.

With 2021 being the 80th anniversary of WWII, there was a special focus on the casualties of Kentucky men who served in the 103rd Coast Artillery (Antiaircraft) Separate Battalion and the 106th Coast Artillery (Antiaircraft) Separate Battalion. Those men, whose names are listed on the Kentucky National Guard Memorial, fought in North Africa; Sicily, Italy; France, Belgium and Germany during the war. Each of their names was called out during the ceremony.

In addition, a fallen soldier’s name recently added to the Kentucky National Guard Memorial was honored.

“Private Winstell Hearell, 19 [years-old], of Wheatcroft, Webster County was struck and killed by a passenger train, the Seminole Limited, on May 19, 1917, while serving with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Kentucky Infantry Regiment on federal active duty,” Chief of Staff of the Kentucky Army National Guard Col. Joseph Gardner II told those in attendance Monday.  

While fallen soldiers weren’t forgotten Monday, neither were their families. Gold Star families in attendance, like Romans, were asked to stand and were given a round of applause.

“Memorial Day, as I believe everybody here is tracking, is not a celebratory day, but it’s a day of remembrance. To our Gold Star families, I respect you and your continuing to remember,” said Kentucky’s 53rd Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton of the Kentucky Army and Air National Guard.

Romans told Spectrum News 1 that she raised a hero.

“To me, a lot of people say their heroes wear capes, but, you know, I like to think that he died for his country. It’s something very unselfish, and that’s what a hero does; he gave his all,” Romans said.

A day of remembrance for her hero and all of the other men and women who served and sacrificed.

“Obviously, with us, we remember it everyday, but that our nation takes a moment to recognize those sacrifices is real important to us,” Romans said.