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.
Brian retired in 2017 after nearly thirty years of service in the US Army, Army Reserve, and Illinois Army National Guard. He served on active duty from 1987-1989, mobilized with the Army Reserves for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1990, deployed to Iraq with the Illinois National Guard for combat operations with the 232nd CSB in 2003, and finally deployment for a peacekeeping mission to Kosovo with the 106th Aviation Battalion of the IL ARNG in 2008. An avid cyclist and outdoors man, Brian has ridden bicycle events in Asia, Europe, and North America. He has not only raced both cross-country mountain bikes and road bikes, but also does self supported bicycle touring. Brian also volunteers as a logistics coordinator for a nationwide veterans and first responders charity while at the same time is a staunch supporter and member of Gold Star Mission. Brian has been a ride captain in multiple Gold Star 500 and General Logan 200 events. Brian has been with Gold Star Mission since the earliest days, helping shape the organization, not only as a cyclist and retired military officer, but also a Gold Star Family member, having two family members make the ultimate sacrifice, S1 Henry Clarence Echternkamp World War 2 (USS Arizona) and most recently in CPL Nicholas S. Ott, OEF, Afghanistan 2011.
Brian presently resides in Pawnee, IL and has two college age children, Cara who attends college in California and Liam who attends college in Illinois.
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.
Aliska Hammon retired in April of 2013 with 22 years of traditional and active guard reserve service in the Illinois Army National Guard. She deployed to Kuwait with the 633rd Personnel Detachment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, and with the 1744th Transportation Company to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006. Aliska was an enlisted Soldier attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class before being selected as a Warrant Officer and retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer Two with the 33rd Brigade Combat Team. After retiring from the military, she was an administrative clerk for the Illinois Army National Guard Recruit Sustainment Program in Marseilles, Illinois.
Aliska supports her community as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician for the Grand Ridge Volunteer Fire Department. She recently earned her Registered Nurse degree and loves taking care of her patients. Her hobbies include watching the St. Louis Cardinals and anything outdoors.
Aliska lives in Grand Ridge and has two children, a daughter living in Toluca, and a son that lives in Watertown, South Dakota.
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 Harly 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.
