Catherine Concepcion, Gold Star Mother

Good afternoon Doug,

Words cannot express my profound gratitude in being able to experience your amazing performance at the Bank earlier this week.  I have been working for my employer nearly 30 years and have NEVER experienced anything they offered that was as moving and touching as your performance.  Words cannot describe the power I felt in the auditorium where my colleagues and I were all affected by your incredibly powerful performance.  

As you carried out each story, you truly transcended the audience into the life of a soldier.  Your performance allowed us to ‘feel’, ‘see’ and ‘empathize’ with each character.  As I sat in amazement, I was able to relate your stories to a number of family members and friends that have served in the military.  

Your performance transported me to my personal tragedy in which my son-in-law, Alex Guzman-Lopez, tragically died in Darwin Falls, Australia nearly 10 years ago.  Words cannot express the experience as a mother receiving that dreadful call from my first born daughter screaming and crying at the other end stating ‘Alex is dead’.  Until this day, my daughter recalls the pain she experienced when she encountered a Gunnery Sergeant, Pastor and Marine who knocked at her door and confirmed her name and then stated “We regret to inform you………” when she thought the knock was Alex returning home early from his deployment.

Thank you again as I will always remember how touched I was by your performance.  You have a gift that is to be shared and am blessed to have been one of your witnesses.

With great gratitude,

Catherine Concepcion, Gold Star Mother

Alex Guzman-Lopez and his wife Victoria,
daughter of Catherine Concepcion.