TAMPA, Fla. — Annette Kirk finds comfort in knowing her son died doing what he loved — serving his country.
She knows because U.S. Army Private First Class Paul Cazzupe sent home a letter from basic training saying so.
Paul's handwritten letter began as they always did, with "Hey, Ma," and was postmarked Aug. 8, 2009.
"He felt that this was his destiny, that he should be in the military. It was in his blood," Kirk said, describing her son's love for service, and especially his post as a combat medic.
Exactly one year later — to the day — Paul would be killed while deployed in Afghanistan.
His mother retold the story saying his troop's convoy swerved, hitting an IED that exploded right under the soldier's seat. The 23-year-old was gone instantly.
The day Paul was killed in action, Aug. 8, 2010, happened to be a Sunday, a day he religiously called his mother.
"I went to my husband, 'It's Sunday and I haven't heard from Paul,'" Annette remembered.
Only hours later, the U.S. Army was at her door.
"I remember saying no, screaming…I believe I fell to my knees on the ground," she said.
In that moment, Annette Kirk was branded a Gold Star mother.
It wasn't long after, she made a choice to become an official member of the American Gold Star Mothers.
"Honestly being with the other Gold Star moms, it helped me so much. It saved my life," Annette said.
10 Tampa Bay also sat down with Lorrie Fleming, who suffered a similar loss: Her son U.S. Army Sgt. Terry Lisk.
He was killed on March 26, 2006, in a mortar attack while overseas in Iraq.
"Your first couple of years are kind of like a blur," Lorrie says with almost 20 years of pain behind her she now helps younger gold star mothers in their grief.
"We don’t get better but we do get stronger," Lorrie added.
While both mothers see Memorial Day weekend as a time to honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, including their own boys' lives, Annette and Lorrie remind everyone it's alright to enjoy the holiday weekend as long as we all reflect on what was given up for our freedom.
"I don’t expect you to not enjoy your BBQ, because my son enjoyed a BBQ, but what we would like you to do is remember who fought and who gave their all so you can still have your BBQ," Lorrie said.
As proud American Gold Star Mothers, they explain, even if it's just for a moment, honoring the fallen service members is what this weekend is all about.
"Knowing that these young men and women died for our freedom, that’s what's most important," Annette said. "It’s precious to me because my son was precious to me; he will always be a part of me."
Annette Kirk, who is also a U.S. Army veteran, and other Gold Star families will speak starting at 10 a.m. Sunday at Tampa's Veteran Memorial Park.
Fifty names of Tampa Bay Area service men and women who were killed in action will be read and their families honored during the ceremony.
Hillsborough County's 27th annual Memorial Day Observance
- Veterans Memorial Park & Rear Admiral Collins, Jr. Veterans Museum
- 3602 U.S. Hwy. 301 N., Tampa, FL 33619.
- 10 a.m. Sunday, May 26