Our team is lead by current and former military members from various branches along with civilians that care deeply that the fallen soldiers names’ live on forever, and that their sacrifices create opportunities to enrich the lives of others. Thus, we must Never Forget.
Barry Tobias retired in March of 2023 with over 42 combined years working in the IT and
Telecommunication space and owns a small business in the Springfield area. He joined the Gold
Star Mission in 2018 as a rider in the Gold Star 500 and has ridden every year since. Barry is also
a member of the Rotary Club of Springfield and is a past president. He also served on the
American Diabetes and the Autism Support of Central Illinois Board of Directors and has a
passion for giving back. During his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and loves
cycling and any outdoor activity. Barry is not a veteran but has a passion for working with the
Gold Star families and knows one of the families personally.
Barry currently resides in Sherman, Illinois with his wife Shaun and son Alec and has a daughter
Ashley, son-in law Justin and grandson Taylor who live in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Tom Jackson served for 34 years with the Illinois Air National Guard and retired honorably in 2023. He started his military service as an Airman Basic performing aircraft maintenance on the KC-135E at the O’Hare Air Reserve Station, Chicago, Illinois. He was selected to be a KC-135 pilot in 1993. Over the next 30 years he performed duties as Co-pilot, Aircraft Commander, Instructor, and Evaluator Pilot. Tom has numerous deployments and performed nearly 50 combat and combat support missions, flying a total of nearly 6000 hours in the KC-135E/R/T, T-38, and T-37. He rose through the ranks and served in various positions culminating as the Wing Commander, retiring as a Colonel.
Tom has also been employed with American Airlines for 24 years as pilot. With experience as a Boeing 727 Flight Engineer and MD-80 First Officer, he now serves as a Boeing 787 First Officer, flying the most advanced wide-body aircraft internationally across the globe. His total flight experience is over 8000 flight hours.
Tom has a Bachelor of Science from Southern Illinois Carbondale in Aviation Management, and a Master of Science from the University of Illinois, Urbana. He completed 42 marathons, multiple ½ marathons and 1/2 Ironman’s, two military triathlon championships, and 11 Ironman triathlons, including 6 World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. He led the Illinois Guard Running Team for 15 years and led the USAF team to the World Championship Ironman Military team title in 2007 with a 135th place and 9 hour 35 minute finish.
Rebecca retired in 2021, as a Sergeant Major, after nearly thirty years of service in the Illinois Army National Guard. She deployed to Afghanistan with Task Force White Eagle in 2009 – 2010 and to Kuwait in 2014 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Rebecca is active in Rochester VFW Post 11463 and serves on the Menard County Veteran Burial Detail.
Rebecca’s civilian career spans over 25 year of Federal service. She is currently employed by the USDA as a Risk Management Specialist.
Rebecca has an MBA from University of Illinois – Springfield and is a Doctor of Public Administration Candidate at University of Illinois - Springfield.
Rebecca resides in Petersburg, Illinois
Tim currently serves full time as the Surface Maintenance Manager for the Illinois Army National Guard (ILARNG). Before his current assignment, Tim served 18 years combined as the Accounting Officer and the Comptroller for the ILARNG. His previous military assignments include Commander of the 3637th Support Maintenance Company (SMC), Battalion Commander for the 405th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) and J8 for the Southwest Border Mission in Arizona. Tim has deployed twice to Iraq, once in 2003 as a logistics officer and again in 2007 as Commander of the 3637th SMC.
Tim lives in Springfield and has two Children, a son living in Connecticut, and a daughter that lives in Springfield.
His hobbies include following his favorite sports teams, being outside enjoying nature, and sampling a good local craft beer.
Eric is a retired military veteran, after serving twenty-five years in the U.S Army and Illinois Army National Guard. After retiring from military duty, he served as Director of Servicemember and Family Support Services for the Illinois National Guard, for nearly five years. He is active in his community and American Legion Post 905, in Kincaid. A lifelong resident of Illinois, Eric spent a majority of his twenty-five years of military service, as an Active Duty Officer in the Illinois Army National Guard. He deployed to Kuwait, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, from 2007-2008, serving as a Joint Task Force Commander. Eric has been a volunteer with The Gold Star Mission since June 2017, serving as the Gold Star 500 Ride Director since 2018.
Eric graduated from Governor's State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Eric currently resides in Pawnee, Illinois with his wife Penny.
Chuck Kitson is a retired military veteran after serving over thirty-three years in the U.S Army. After retiring from military duty, he took a position as Officer Senior Trainer and contractor with the Mission Command Training Support Program, supporting the Illinois Army National Guard. A lifelong resident of Illinois, Chuck spent four years on active duty with assignments in both Baumholder, Germany and Fort Lewis, Washington. After active duty, Chuck joined the Illinois Army National Guard where he served as an enlisted soldier before taking a commission and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Chuck deployed during Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield in 1990 and later in 2010 to Afghanistan participating in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) where he served as an advisor to the Polish Army.
Chuck graduated from University of Illinois at Springfield with a Bachelor degree in Management.
Chuck currently resides in Springfield, Illinois with his wife Judy and their two sons Zachary and Nathan.
As a Veteran, I love being part of the Gold Star Mission community, a place to honor our Fallen Heroes. Normally a somber reflection, we get to take a different approach and focus on remembering their lives and promote current events. I'm so thankful for this incredible community that remembers together and builds new memories for our Fallen in the midst of a difficult reality.
Kate’s family has a strong military background, which has taught her the importance of serving your country and the sacrifices that come with it. Her family’s history spans across most branches of the armed forces. Her grandparents met while serving in the Army, getting married thereafter. Interestingly, her grandmother outranked her grandfather. Kate’s father served in the United States Marines and was deployed in Vietnam. He met his daughter Kate for the first time when she was six months old- a testament to the sacrifices and demands of his duty.
Kate is married to Kirby Hames, and together they own PS Printing, located in Taylorville Illinois. Kirby is also a supporter of the Gold Star Mission, and both he and Kate take great pride in helping spread such a worthwhile message.
Kate resides in Taylorville, Illinois, and pitches in at the shop as needed. She acts as a caregiver for both of her parents. Kate shares a blended family with Kirby, consisting of four daughters and eight grandchildren.
Anthony F. Mollusky is a native of Kincaid, Illinois and served in the U.S. Army Active Duty from 1990 to 1998 and then joined the IL Army National Guard. He retired from the IL Army National Guard in 2022, retiring at the rank of Command Sergeant Major.
Anthony’s civilian career began in 1998 and he was worked for numerous Federal Agencies to include the IL Central District Bankruptcy Court, the Department of Information Technology, IL Army National Guard, and his current agency, the Defense Logistics Agency at Naval Station Great Lakes in the Information Technology field.
Anthony enjoys riding his Harley with his wife of 30 years, Michelle, and cooking on his grill and smoker. Anthony resides in Elkhorn, WI with his wife and has three children, one son living in Springfield, and two children that reside with him in Wisconsin.
OUR MISSION
The Gold Star Mission seeks to honor and support our Illinois Gold Star Families by preserving the memory of their Illinois Fallen Military Service Members.
OUR MISSION
The Gold Star Mission seeks to honor and support our Illinois Gold Star Families by preserving the memory of their Illinois Fallen Military Service Members.
