From Gold Star to Guiding Star

If you’ve visited the Livermore campus on a Tuesday morning you might have been greeted by Roxane Langevin. She is more than just an information desk volunteer, she’s an American Gold Star Mother. Her smile radiates with a quiet strength, a testament to a heart deeply connected to service.

Langevin is the proud mother of two sons. In November 2007, she became a Gold Star Mother after losing her eldest son, Corporal Sean Langevin, who served honorably during Operation Enduring Freedom as part of the Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.

Losing him was incredibly difficult, but it also sparked a powerful desire in Roxane to honor his service by helping Veterans.

“My son served his country. This is a way for me to continue his service and show Veterans the appreciation they deserve,” she said.

Volunteering brings her great joy

Roxane volunteered with the Gold Star Mothers group for 11 years, delivering items for patients at the Palo Alto VA. In 2023, she decided to directly support Veterans at the Livermore campus by volunteering at the information desk. Volunteering brings her great joy and is a meaningful way to express her gratitude.

In her short time, she has built strong connections with Veterans. Even though she volunteers only once a week, she understands their need for a listening ear.

“They just want to talk. About anything. And knowing I’ve made a difference in their day is what truly matters,” she shared. One Veteran even schedules her appointments on Tuesdays just to see her. That kind of connection shows the impact she has.

“You can make a difference one person at a time.”

Her advice for potential volunteers is simple—put others first. She lives by the quote, “What you do matters and will make a difference in people’s lives. You don’t have to save the world in one stroke, but you can make a difference one person at a time.”

For Roxane, volunteering connects her to her son Sean in a special way. “If I can help turn things around for even one person, I’ve done my job.”