HARRISBURG, Pa. - Under the lights at Landis Field, seven Central Dauphin players took to the football field with more than a game on their minds. Friday night, they were representing American heroes. It was the first ever Gold Star Mothers football game held in Pennsylvania.
Suzanne Sheaffer lost her son about 19 months ago. William C."Billy" Trapnell IV died from a cardiac condition. He served in the Army and Coastguard. She was at an American Gold Star Mothers meeting when a mom from Michigan told her about gold star games. After seeing that Central Dauphin values community service, she contacted coach Glen McNamee. He was immediately on board and the tribute game was planned.
Friday night, the mothers were honored. Players parents even switched the buttons they wore to ones that have a picture of one of the seven servicemen on them. The pins said "my son played for a hero".
Another mother attended the game at the last minute. Central Dauphin has already decided they want to host the game again next year. If you are a Gold Star Mother who would like to be involved please email sheafferfam@msn.com.
Sheaffer thanks Central Dauphin for having a program that teaches players important values, off the field. She says the players have the same traits the Gold Star Mother's sons had.
