New license plates honor slain troops
First gold-star plates issued in Olympia
OLYMPIA – The first 25 gold-star license plates in Washington state have been unveiled at the Capitol. They’re available to the parents of people who died while in the armed services.
On Friday, gold-star plate No. 24 went to Jeff Norton, of Rainier, in memory of his son. Army Sgt. Justin Norton was killed overseas June 24, 2006. His father, a Thurston County sheriff’s deputy, said he signed up for the new license plate so people know the sacrifices families make.
The president of the Washington State Gold Star Mothers said the gold star has a special meaning to military parents. Myra Rintamacki and others at the ceremony said they hoped the public would come to recognize the plates as a reminder that a soldier’s death affects more than one person.
There are extra fees for most specialty license plates in Washington, but not for the gold-star plates.