| Gold Star Mother's Day 2003 |
| Presidential Press Releases |
Part of a series of Presidential Press Releases on the topic of women's history. Brought to you as a service by your About Guide to Women's History.
Gold Star Mother's Day, 2003
September 25, 2003
A Proclamation
By the President of the United States of America
As members of America's Armed Forces now protect our country by engaging the
enemies of freedom in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and on other fronts in the war
against terrorism, they carry on a noble legacy. Today, Americans and millions
around the world enjoy freedom because of the service and sacrifice of our
military men and women.
The cost of America's freedom is often personal. Few pay more dearly than our
Gold Star Mothers, who have endured the death of a son or daughter in service to
our country.
More than 75 years ago, one mother's determination to transform her personal
loss into good works led to the creation of the American Gold Star Mothers.
After receiving notice of her son's death in aerial combat during World War I,
Grace Darling Seibold devoted her energy to volunteering in a local hospital.
She began reaching out to other mothers whose sons had died in military service
to the Nation. She organized a group of these special mothers to help them
comfort each other and care for hospitalized veterans. Their organization was
named after the gold star service flag that families hung in their windows in
honor of family members who had died in military service. After years of
planning, it became a national organization in 1928. Since then, brave women
have continued to come together as Gold Star Mothers to ease the burden of their
loss and to serve others.
Today, numerous chapters of Gold Star Mothers across our Nation offer important
programs and services to enhance the lives of veterans and provide support for
their families. Their civic education programs and help for those in need honor
the lives of their sons and daughters and strengthen America.
The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 115 of June 23, 1936 (49 Stat. 1895 as
amended), has designated the last Sunday in September as "Gold Star Mother's
Day," and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in
observance of this day.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do
hereby proclaim Sunday, September 28, 2003, as Gold Star Mother's Day. I call
upon all Government officials to display the flag of the United States over
Government buildings on this solemn day. I also encourage the American people to
display the flag and hold appropriate meetings in their homes, places of
worship, or other suitable places as a public expression of the sympathy and
respect that our Nation holds for our Gold Star Mothers.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of
September, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
