Gold Star Mothers and WWI - footnotes - Episode 37

GOLD STAR MOTHER’S AND FAMILY DAY

Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day is observed on the last Sunday in September. Also known as National Gold Star Mother’s Day, it honors the mothers and families of fallen military service members.

The observance began during World War I. It was created to recognize and honor those who have lost a son or daughter who served our country in the United States Armed Forces.
A gold star symbolizes a family member who died in the line of duty while serving the United States Armed Forces.

Gold Star mothers and families know the immeasurable cost of fighting for the ideals we believe in, and they know the pride that comes with exemplary service to America. ~ President Barack Obama ~ September 23, 2011 ~ Presidential Proclamation

HOW TO OBSERVE #GoldStarMothersDay

Organizations around the country honor Gold Star families through ceremonies, luncheons, and teas. They give back to their communities by remembering fallen service members. Service organizations provide opportunities to remember the fall and their families at military memorial sights and veteran’s cemeteries. At the local, state and national level, representatives speak of the importance of remembering our fallen sons and daughters, while continuing to care for their families. Use #GoldStarMothersDay to post on social media.

GOLD STAR MOTHER’S AND FAMILY DAY HISTORY

On June 23, 1936, a joint congressional resolution designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother’s Day and proclaimed annually by each president. In 2011, President Barack Obama amended the day to “Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day.”

The history of National Gold Star Mother’s Day and their families begins with a young country thrown in the midst of a great war. Army Captian Robert L. Queissner, whose two sons were serving on the front line during World War I, created what is now called the Service Flag. The flag was displayed with a blue star to represent a child serving in the military during times of war or hostilities. When a service member died, families stitched a gold star over the blue star.

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.

The American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. was incorporated in 1929 and obtained a federal charter from the United States Congress. It began in the Washington DC area and soon expanded to include affiliated groups throughout the United States.

An ocean often divided families from their deceased sons, as was the case of the founder of the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. organization, Grace Darling Seibold. While waiting for confirmation of her son’s death, she visited the VA hospital almost daily and made herself useful in the process. Afterward, she continued to visit the hospital and formed the organization that unites gold star mothers still today.

https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/1999/summer/gold-star-mothers-2.html