PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) -- A double Blue Star mother who started as a supporter for Gold Star military families turned into a national nonprofit executive director.

"We're Americans and we take care of our fellow Americans," said Patti Latch. "I f we don't, who will? "

Patti Latch started America's Gold Star families in 2006. That's when she started attending funerals of fallen central Illinois heroes.

"To whom much is given, much is required," said Latch. "I was very blessed. I could have easily had a different outcome than my both of my sons coming home, but they did. That gave me an emotional strength that Gold Star families were so broken and grieving that I just stepped into becoming their advocate."

Her two sons came home, but she said she knew in her heart she had to support the fam

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