CATO -- A Cato Gold Star mother finally has the cherished licenses plates that she was forced to give up.

On Thursday, 89-year-old Ethel Barnes was given replica copies of her Gold Star License plates by State Senator Patty Ritchie. Barnes was forced to give them to the Department of Motor Vehicles in May after she gave up her driver's license.

Barnes wanted to keep the plates that paid tribute to her son Robert, who died while serving in Vietnam 44 years ago.

"I can't explain it," Barnes said after getting the plates. "It feels like I've got a part of him back again. When I gave those plates up, it was like part of him I had to give up so it's just wonderful to get them back again. I can't explain how overwhelmed I am."

After Barnes gave the plates back, she was determined to get them back. She says her phone has been "ringing off the hook" with people interested in her story. Ritchie, who represents the 48th District, heard about what happened to Barnes from a constituent. Even though Barnes is not in her district, Ritchie decided to try and help. Ritchie, a former county clerk who just starting serving in the Senate in January, got involved and got the DMV to make replicate copies.

"For me, personally, this is probably the best thing I've been able to do," Ritchie said.

Barnes now has the plates on display in her home with her son's medals and pictures - just in time for July 4th.

"It almost seems like it was to be. It does seem like it. There was nobody more proud of his country than our Bob was," Barnes said.

She says her story has made people more aware of Gold Star mothers, a group whose children made the ultimate sacrifice for the country. She also says it's a message to everyone who is working toward a solution.

"My one niece said, 'Aunt Ethel, there's no need of fighting city hall, you won't get nowhere.' Well you can fight city hall and get somewhere," Ethel said.

The State Senate just passed a bill that would allow Gold Star moms to keep their Gold Star plates after they give up their cars. The assembly still needs to take it up.