American Gold Star Mothers holding National Convention in Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Gold Star Mothers are gathering in Raleigh this weekend as they come together for the national convention of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.

The organization is made up of mothers whose sons or daughters died while serving in the U.S. military. This is the first time in nearly 50 years that the convention has been held in North Carolina. It's here this year because the group's national president, Patti Elliott, is a resident of Youngsville.

Elliott lost her son, Army Specialist Daniel "Lucas" Elliott, in Iraq in 2011. He was killed in action just three days before his 22nd birthday.

"He was Specialist Daniel Lucas Elliott, he went by Lucas," Patti Elliott said. "He was a military policeman, he loved the military, he loved the outdoors, loved hunting, fishing, he was just a good ole country boy."

In the months following her son's death, Elliott found a community through American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. It began as a way to help her process her grief.

"There's nothing like walking in a room full of mothers who are there, and they totally understand exactly what you're going through without having to say a word," she said.

The group helps support fellow Gold Star Mothers, but together, they also serve and advocate for active duty service members and veterans.

Elliott is grateful to be able to bring mothers from across the country here to her home state of North Carolina.

"We are such a military-friendly state with so many bases, and of the 200 folks who are going to be here this weekend, a very large majority of these women, their children cycled through one of the bases in North Carolina at some point in their career," said Elliott.

That's the case for Joyce Paulsen, whose son spent years training in North Carolina. Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew McClintock was killed in action in Afghanistan in January 2016, a day still clear in her mind.

"I remember seeing that, that some family was getting a notification that a child was lost, little did I know it was mine," Paulsen recalled.

"When he joined the service, his goals were to be married, have a son, and be a Green Beret, and he achieved all those before he passed away."

Annette Kirk also lost her son, Pfc. Paul Cuzzupe II. He was killed by an IED in Afghanistan in 2010. She said the bond among Gold Star Mothers is unlike any other and she's grateful to the organization. A veteran herself, she'll take over as President of the organization next year.

"It means the world to me that I can be with other ladies that understand the hurt and the pain that I've gone through," she said.

Each mother said continuing their children's legacy of service has proven to be a meaningful way to honor their sacrifice.

"He just felt it was his calling, and I didn't want to leave that with his name at Arlington where he's buried, I wanted to keep it moving forward," Paulsen said of her son's love of service.

"It's all I have left to do for him to keep his legacy and his service alive and to make sure that it means something," Elliott added.

"I am told by family that he's proud of me, and he's always watching over me," said Kirk.

The convention runs through the Sunday in downtown Raleigh, bringing together mothers from across the country in remembrance, service, and sisterhood.