Parker Gold Star mom named Honorary Miss America

By John Gutekunst Parker Pioneer Oct 2, 2018 Updated Oct 2, 2018 0

Former Parker resident Lori Deysie has a distinction few mothers would want to have. She is a Gold Star mother. Her son, U.S. Army Pfc. Ara Tyler Deysie, was killed on May 9, 2008 in Afghanistan in a rocket-propelled grenade attack. He was 18, and a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes.

In September of this year, Lori Deysie felt some of the gratitude of the nation when she and nine other Gold Star mothers were named Honorary Miss Americas at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J.

Deysie said it was a wonderful, exciting trip. However, it was also a bittersweet one.

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Deysie went to Atlantic City thanks to Project Gratitude, which was founded Sharlene Wells Hawkes and Darci Hansen. Hawkes was Miss America 1985, and is President of Remember My Service Productions in Salt Lake City, Utah. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Miss America Organization.

“This is an opportunity for the Miss America Organization (MAO) to roll out the red carpet for these great American women who have sacrificed so much on our nation's behalf,” Hawkes said in a press release. “They are part of a club that no one ever wants to be in—the dues are too high a price. We want them to feel of our profound gratitude and heartfelt appreciation. The entire sisterhood of former Miss Americas hold each of these Gold Star mothers in the highest regard, as they and their beloved sons are our national treasures.”

Hansen is a former Parker, Ariz. resident and was Miss Parker 1980. The scholarship money she won at that pageant and for being a finalist at Miss Arizona paid for most of her education at Northern Arizona University. She’s currently editor of “Etched” Magazine in St. George, Utah.

“The Miss America Organization changed my life,” Hansen said in a press release. “Creating Project Gratitude with Sharlene was a privilege that tied my love for the organization and my deeply sincere gratitude to our military into one experience.”

The Chairperson of Project Gratitude is Kathleen Gagg, the co-founder of Camp Better America and Executive Director of the Got Your Back Network, the partner and sponsor of Project Gratitude.

Deysie said she’d never heard of Project Gratitude until she was contacted by a friend, Patsy Sevada. Hansen had contacted her and wanted to know if there were any Gold Star mothers in the Parker area that they could honor.

She flew from Las Vegas to Atlantic City on Sept. 5. She said the entire trip was paid for, including air fare and a room at Caesar’s Resort in Atlantic City. All the Gold Star mothers had ocean-view rooms. They were also “wined and dined,” including dinner at Nero’s, the top restaurant at Caesar’s. The resort also provided each of them with a gift bag of goodies. They were chauffeured everywhere, and she had a shopping spree at the Tangier Mall. She and the other mothers had a boat ride to look for dolphins.

“The whole trip was covered,” Deysie said. “It was an unreal trip.”

Deysie acknowledged she did not go out as much as the other mothers did. She is taking classes, so, when they didn’t have scheduled events, she was studying in her hotel room.

“I think I got out to the Boardwalk once,” she said.

The mothers also got some professional health and beauty tips. On Saturday, it was massage and facial work. On Sunday, it was make-up.

They also received bracelets designed by the same firm that designs the crowns for Miss America.

The Gold Star mothers were featured in the Sunday pre-pageant show. They were all declared honorary Miss Americas.

Deysie flew back to Las Vegas on Monday, Sept. 10.

“I’m grateful” she said of the experience. “It was an emotional, bittersweet moment. I had to keep telling myself this wasn’t about me. I was representing mothers who have lost their children.”

https://www.parkerpioneer.net/news/article_f8f310ca-c691-11e8-aaa8-f3770f7c9582.html