TU To Honor Gold Star Family Whose Loved One Died In The Military

A Vietnam Veteran will be recognized Saturday at halftime of TU's Military Appreciation football game.

Bill Bruck will walk out on that field, thinking about his son, who died on active duty in 2019.

Families who have had someone killed during military service are called Gold Star Families.

Bill Bruck said he wants the focus to be less on him and more on his hero in heaven.

The family has made it their mission to raise awareness about gold star families and to make sure none of them get overlooked.

Vietnam Veteran Bill Bruck served in the U.S. Army as a translator, interrogator, and a pilot.

"I got that infamous knock on the door, and they said greetings Bill. We'd love you to join us,” said Bruck. “You would just go in and serve your country. You didn't think about it."

Like father, like sons.

"Michael went in after high school because of 9/11 and then a year later, his older brother said if he can do it, I can do it,” said Bill Bruck.

Michael served in the Army for 17 years and was an airborne ranger.

His sister said he was a natural born leader who loved his country and his family.

"He should be here,” said Christine Holman, Gold Star Sister.

Michael died in June of 2019.

"He wanted to be like my dad. He wanted to follow in my father's footstep,” said Holman.

He looked up to his dad but was a momma's boy.

"She's been terminally ill for seven years now with a rare brain disease called PSP, she is not aware of his death,” said Holman.

Christine said many people don't know what a 'Gold Star family' is.

"Oh, that's cool. How do we become a gold star family,” said Christine Holman, Gold Star Sister?

She said the best thing you can do is give them a hug.

She believes state and federal leaders need to do more for gold star families.

"The gold star families get pushed to the side,” said Holman.

Bill said he may be the hometown hero, but so are his boys.

Bill will be honored Saturday as TU faces off against Tulane at 11 a.m.