Hundreds gathered at Horan's Landing in Sleepy Hollow on Sunday to honor mothers who have lost their children due to war with the unveiling of the Gold Star Mother Memorial.

Armando "Chick" Galella, 100, who survived the Dec. 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, served as the event's master of ceremonies.

The life-size bronze statue was dedicated to Margaret J. Horan, whose son died at Pearl Harbor.

"I said, 'Mrs. Horan, I know it's not for me to tell you, but your son died a hero for his country. He did the best he could, but the odds were against us,'" Galella recalled.

The memorial statue honors not only Horan, but all Gold Star mothers whose sons and daughters made the ultimate sacrifice.