Navy Veteran, VA employee, Gold Star mother remembers son

Evelyn Brady, Navy Veteran and mother of three, had her world turned upside down in 2019. She’s now championing efforts to bring awareness to those who, like her, carry the title of Gold Star Family.

“No one wants to be a Gold Star Family. The title is bittersweet, but we have an obligation to be there for one another and ensure our sons and daughters are remembered for their service.”

On Dec. 6, 2019, a terrorist opened fire on a classroom at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. Brady’s son, 19-year-old Naval Aircrewman 3rd Class Mohammed “Mo” Haitham, along with two other sailors, were killed when they ran toward the gunman.

Several weeks later, the Department of Justice and the FBI would officially rule the shooting an act of terrorism.

“I didn’t look at the news because I didn’t want to see it,” said Brady, who serves as a program support specialist at Bay Pines VA. “I just started praying that he was okay.”

That evening, Brady was at home with her youngest son Irvin when they received a knock at the door. “When Irvin called me to the door, I just saw lips moving, but I didn’t hear a word. My world was immediately shattered and I just broke down.”

Over the years, Brady has given several interviews in support of her son, including one on the anniversary of his death last December.

She acknowledged the love and support she received from family and friends was wonderful, but even with their help she found it difficult to turn the corner and deal with the death of her son. “I was blinded by grief and I tried to do it alone. The only people who really know what we’re going through are those experiencing the same thing,” she said.

After connecting with a Gold Star Family who reached out to her in 2021, she began attending Gold Star events. It was during one of the presentations that Brady received her wake-up call.

“A Gold Star Mother was speaking and it was like she was talking directly to me. It just hit me square in the heart, and I knew this was where I needed to be and what I could do to help myself through this while honoring Mo,” she said.

Brady joined American Gold Star Mothers in 2022. Over the past year, she has worked to advocate for awareness and support for Gold Star families.

Brady is second from left in the photo above, standing with women from the American Gold Star Mothers Tampa Bay Chapter and CDCE representative Ron Messner at an informational table for Veterans at Bay Pines VA.

“I understand what it’s like to go it alone and it’s tough. I just want every Gold Star Family to know that when you’re ready there’s a community of amazing people who are going through the same thing, and we’re here and ready to support you,” she added.

When Mo followed in his mother’s footsteps and joined the Navy, she set up a Facebook account for him titled Mohammed’s Navy Journey. She’s kept the page active so others can learn more about her son. NAS Pensacola also established a Building 633 Memorial that honors the sacrifices of Mo and his fellow sailors that day.

On May 29, Brady was one of several Gold Star Mothers and Families honored as part of the Bay Pines VA and National Cemetery annual Memorial Day observance.

Gold Star Mothers