JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SC –
On behalf of the Navy Gold Star Program and the Fleet and Family Support Center, we would like to invite you to join us in honoring and recognizing those who have lost a son or daughter serving in the United States Armed Forces, Sunday, Sept. 27 as part of Gold Star Mothers and Family Day.
The mothers of fallen service members began calling themselves "Gold Star Mothers" during the WWI. Then in 1936, Congress honored these mothers by designating the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mothers Day. This day pays tribute to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice and to the families who suffered the unimaginable pain of losing them so our country might endure.
In 1947, Congress directed the issuance of Gold Star lapel pins to the immediate family of service members who died while on active duty. The two pins, the Gold Star Lapel pin and the Next of Kin Lapel pin, signify that the service member died in a combat theater or while on active duty outside a combat theater respectively.
Last year, President Obama issued a proclamation stating, "Our Gold Star families hold dear to the values for which their loved ones gave their lives. With courage and resilience, they preserve the memories of the brave men and women we have lost by giving back to their communities and working toward a better future. As a Nation, we will always honor the sacrifice these families have made. Our sacred obligation to our service members and their loved ones will never be forgotten. On this day and every day, we salute all those who have worn America's uniforms and the families who stand by them. Our homeland is stronger and safer because of these heroes. As we celebrate the memories of our troops who gave their last full measure of devotion, we renew our commitment to look after the loved ones they have left in our care."
Today, our county has more than 32,000 surviving service family members including parents, siblings, spouses and children. As a part of our commitment to survivors, we would like to recognize Gold Star Mothers and Family Day, Sept. 27. A gesture of recognition for these mothers and families can simply be to fly our country's flag, have a moment of silence or, if you know a Gold Star Mother, offer a few kind words to acknowledge their loss.
For more information on the Navy Gold Star Program please visit our website at www.navygoldstar.com and our face book page at www.facebook.com/navygoldstar.