Memorial Day 2016: "Never Forget - Families Want To Hear You Say Their Names"

Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter

DALLAS (CBS11) - Not a day goes by that Phyllis and David McGeath don't honor their son Philip, a 25-year-old Marine who died more than four years ago.

Phyllis says, "He was killed in Afghanistan by a suicide bomber. Memorial Day is every day for us parents and for the siblings."

McGeath says she now helps other Gold Star Mothers like her who've had to learn the hard way, the true meaning of Memorial Day.

She says, "Never forget. The families want to hear your say their names. They're not just a line in the newspaper or in a magazine. They existed."

The McGeath family say they've made and worn a number of t-shirts remembering Philip.

His death has hit his 12-year-old brother Cooper hard.

He says, "To help me remember my brother. He's been a big part of my life. Just want to keep him in my mind."

To the McGeath family, being a Patriot, is serving your country.

David spent 24 years in the Air Force.

They have two other sons serving in the Marines.

And Cooper, the youngest of their seven children, wants to follow his older brothers. "I've always wanted to be a Marine my whole life. But its pushed me to go farther when Philip died. I just want to keep going and follow him."

If there's one message the McGeaths want to send, it is this: "We just want him remembered. It's important to me that he's remembered. I can't forget him, we can't forget him."

(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Follow Jack on Twitter: @cbs11jack