The loss of a young life in service to others brings a special kind of pain to a grieving mother.

On Saturday, two Gold Star mothers were on hand in Pottsville in a show of support for Suzy Jones, mother of fallen hero Capt. Jason B. Jones, Orwigsburg, killed Monday in Afghanistan.American Gold Star Mothers Inc. was formed in the U.S. shortly after World War I to provide support for mothers who lost sons or daughters in the war."I lost my son Nicholas in 2011," said brokenhearted Anna Rodriguez of Whitehall. Lance Cpl. Nicholas T. Rodriguez served with the United States Marine Corps and died at age 23."He loved his country," she said.Rodriguez was joined by husband Michael, who also lost a brother, Chris, in service to his country back in 2003.Because of the double loss, the Rodriguez couple feels the pain deeply and shares a bond with others in the same situation."We go to all of these," says Anna Rodriguez. "I couldn't think of any place else I'd rather be."The couple stood in queue on Market Street under a hot, baking sun, awaiting their turn to enter the stone church to offer comfort to a bereft Jones family.Just steps away, standing curbside and holding an American flag with members of the Patriot Guard Riders, was Carol Resh of Fogelsville.Resh, too, is a Gold Star mother, and a friend of Rodriguez.Her son, Army Capt. Mark T. Resh, 28, was a proud Apache helicopter pilot with 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas.He was killed on Jan. 28, 2007, when his helicopter went down in Iraq. His mother deals with the loss on a daily basis. She's proud of his service to his fellow man. Yet the fact that he's gone at such a young age is difficult to accept."He was a quiet person who liked people. He was a leader and he loved his country," she said.Resh was standing in the street as part of an honor guard. Like Rodriguez, she intended to go inside the church to talk with the Jones family, particularly mother Suzy."My son was a captain, just like hers. It'll be hard for me to talk to her," Resh said.That's because, although a comforting gesture, the moment together will be a flood of emotions. The women share a bond of heartbreak which no mother can understand unless placed in the same situation. It's something powerful and all-consuming.It's something, they say, no words can describe.It comes down to a presence, that single moment when they find themselves together.They'll look into each others eyes and tears will flow.At times like that, no words need to be spoken.