Susan Aimes

What does it mean to become a Gold Star family? In this episode of The Strategic Veteran, Adam Peters sits down with Susan Aimes, a Gold Star mother whose son gave his life in service to this country. For families of the fallen, the cost of war does not end when the mission ends. It becomes a lifelong journey of grief, remembrance, and honoring the legacy of those who never came home. Susan shares her story of loss, resilience, and the responsibility she feels to keep her son’s memory alive. The conversation explores the strength of Gold Star families and the lasting impact military service has on those who love and support our service members. This episode is about sacrifice, legacy, and the enduring bond between a mother and her child. If you want to understand the true cost of service, this conversation is an important one. CONNECT WITH THE STRATEGIC VETERAN Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3U8FOupOu070V00PXR4DSd?si=887c164c4a8e4ae2 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-strategic-veteran/id1743039436 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@thestrategicveteran 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Meet Susan Aimes 02:10 Her son’s decision to serve 06:30 The pride and fear of military families 12:20 The day everything changed 18:30 Becoming a Gold Star mother 26:40 The lifelong impact of loss 35:10 Honoring the legacy of the fallen 44:00 Supporting Gold Star families 52:10 What civilians should understand about sacrifice 1:00:00 Remembering her son Chapters