Gold Star Mother's Day
What is it'
September 27, 2009, is Gold Star Mother's Day. Every year the fourth Sunday of September is for honoring mothers whose sons or daughters died in the line of duty. The name references the single gold star on service flags displayed in the windows of homes that have lost a son or daughter to war.
What is the Army doing'
On Friday, September 25, the Army will conduct a Gold Star Mothers ceremony in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes. Participants will include members of Gold Star Mothers, Inc., a national service organization whose local chapter members do volunteer work in veterans hospitals and provide personal service to veterans and their families. On Sunday, September 27, Gold Star Mothers and service representatives will lay wreaths at the Vietnam War Memorial and at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Army installations and commands have been encouraged to honor Gold Star Mothers on a day and time appropriate. A <a href="http://www.army.mil/goldstarmothers" target="_blank">Web site</a> explains the purpose and goals of Gold Star Mothers.
What's the way ahead'
Just as a Gold Star Mother's support continues beyond the life of her child, the Army's support of its mothers also endures. Survivor Outreach Services delivers a coordinated, comprehensive and standardized program across the force that meets survivors' needs with dedicated resources and a commitment to first-class service for as long as the family desires. A complement of benefit coordinators, financial counselors and support coordinators addresses survivors' immediate and long-term needs. Among the things the Army does is to provide long-term support throughout the grief process, coordinate support groups, provide information and referral services and coordinate child care.
Why is this important to the Army'
The Army cannot do what it does without the Army family's support. In many cases, family consent is what provides recruits and reenlistments. Army mothers have shown the same determination and resiliency as Army personnel in tolerating deployments and the tragedy that war brings to some families. The Army commemorates Gold Star Mother's Day because mothers across the nation have supported the Army; now, through this recognition and through survivor outreach programs, the Army supports them.
The Army thanks and honors the parents of Soldiers- especially Gold Star Mothers- for supporting their children's call to serve and for their sacrifice. A grateful nation remembers.
Resources:
<a href="http://www.army.mil/goldstarmothers" target="_blank">Gold Star Mothers Web site</a>
<a href="https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/active/tagd/cmaoc/altfcm/programs.htm" target="_blank">Army Long Term Family Case Management Web site</a>
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