Family of fallen service members honored at Stockton event [Video]

STOCKTON, Calif. — Tears were shed, hugs were shared and applause broke out as Stockton honored families whose sons and daughters sacrificed all, during a luncheon at the American Legion Karl Ross Post 16 Sunday.

Across the United States, the last Sunday in September is recognized as Gold Star Mothers and Families Day.

“There seems to be quite a big crowd coming in,” said Gold Star father Mike Anderson. “We are here today to not only memorialize our children, today is about the families left behind.”

Anderson was talking about families like his.

“I am the father of Corporal Michael D. Anderson, a United States Marine who was killed during the battle for Fallujah in house-to-house fighting,” Anderson said. “We’re a community that no one wants to belong to. We didn’t fill out applications.”

However, within Anderson’s heartbroken community, there is camaraderie.

“My son, Brandon Dooley, was …