Gold Star Mothers

On Sept. 14, 1940, President Franklin Roosevelt issued a proclamation designating the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mothers' Day. There is not a mother in America who wants to be a member of the organization. How is it that so many people have no idea what we represent? A Gold Star mother and the entire Gold Star family and friends grieve the loss of their fallen loved ones in a war, regardless of what branch of the military or what war. Gold Star mothers carry a great burden of grief. We proudly honor our sons and daughters who have made the supreme sacrifice so our great nation can continue to live in freedom and security. Gold Star mother chapters across the country give support to their local veterans' hospitals and help with and attend ceremonies to honor our veterans. We encourage Americans to remember us this Sunday. Display your flags as a public expression of our nation's sympathy and respect of our Gold Star mothers. We know the price of freedom. We now call on all Americans to join us in prayerful support. Reflect on the lost dreams of mothers and their fallen loved ones. Time allows us to accept our loss, but the pain never goes away. Gold Star mothers come together to ease the burden and to serve others. This organization is open to all mothers of a soldier killed in combat as well as those who died while serving in the military and can be found on the Web at www.goldstarmoms.com. Judith A Tapper, Mother Navy SEAL David M Tapper, Atco - Published in the Courier Post, September 22, 2006