Unnamed peak may soon honor ‘Gold Star’ families

PALMER — An unnamed peak near Mount POW/MIA may soon receive a name aimed at honoring the families of fallen U.S. service members: Gold Star Peak.

“Gold Star” is the term traditionally used to recognize families of troops who have been killed while on duty, either overseas or stateside. The new name, submitted by Anchorage resident and Army veteran Kirk Alkire to both Alaska’s Historical Commission and the National Geological Survey (NGS) could become official early next year.

Alkire, who regularly maintains the POW/MIA and U.S. flags on Mount POW/MIA with a group of other veterans, got the idea for the peak during a visit to the Lake Tahoe, California area. He noticed a plaque commemorating a Gold Star Peak there, and knew he needed to find a way to have a similar peak honoring those military families in the Anchorage area.

Because of his familiarity with Mount POW/MIA, which he climbs several times per year, Alkire knew there is a currently unnamed peak that hikers must pass on their way to the POW/MIA summit. Now he hopes both the Alaska and federal naming boards approve the designation, giving those who view the mountain from the ground an extra chance to honor families who have lost service members.

“Especially someone from the Valley on that drive down the Glenn Highway, when they cross over the Knik bridge, they are staring right at it,” he said. “Those in the 50,000 cars going over the bridge daily will be reminded.”

While the mountain may not look particularly prominent from the ground, a fact some have used to question the peak choice, it’s clearly a distinct peak when viewed from on the mountain, Alkire said.

He said the peak’s proximity to POW/MIA is also appropriate — and important. Those who honor troops who are missing in action or prisoners of war and families of the fallen are often thrown together thanks to loss and service to America, he said.

“To me, the two are linked,” he said.

Alkire has received a $5,000 grant from the state that he plans to use for two memorial plaques. One will be placed on top of the peak, he said. The other will be placed at the Valley’s Veterans’ Wall of Honor, from which the newly named peak can be clearly seen. Alkire is hoping to get the help designing the plaque from local Gold Star family members.

The Alaska Historical Commission will meet in early December to consider new name proposals, including Alkire’s. They’ll then forward their decision on to the NGS, which has ultimate say on the naming.

In the meantime, Alkire is gathering letters of support for the designation from localandstate government and tribal leaders, Alaska’s congressional delegation and Gold Star family members that both the state and federal boards will consider when making their final decision.

Members of the public can submit comments on his proposal to the NGS naming board by emailing BGNEXEC@usgs.gov or writing to Mr. Lou Yost, Executive Secretary, U.S. Board on Geographic Names/Domestic Names Committee, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192-0523.