Stand-To: Procedure prior to first light to enhance unit security, a daily compendium of news, information, and context for Army leaders.

"The mothers of our Soldiers provide unwavering support to their sons and daughters. When her child makes the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation, a mother's quiet strength in the face of utmost loss inspires us all. These Gold Star Mothers are uniquely amazing patriots…"

View the complete 2009 Senior Leader Gold Star Mothers Day Message

Year of the Noncommissioned Officer

"(Americans) have freely given us their sons and daughters. They trust us to train them and keep them safe. I will not disappoint them or betray this trust."

- Command Sgt. Maj. Teresa King, first female commandant of the Drill Sergeant School

First female commandant takes reins at Drill Sergeant School

• Early Bird News Site
• Information Papers with "2009 Army Posture Statement"
• Stories of Valor
• Army Public Affairs Portal
• Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace
• 2009 Strategic Communication Guide - Read the 2009 Army Strategic Communication Guide for key messages and updates

• Community Covenant
• Army Live
• Bloggers Roundtable
• Ukrainians look to model NCO education after U.S.
• Members of U.S. Army South team treat more than 7200 patients in Haiti
• Partner cultures intertwine during exchange

2009 Commemorations :

Year of the NCO

Year of the Military Family

100th Anniversary of the Chaplain Assistant

September 2009

Medal of Honor recipient SFC Jared C. Monti, microsite

National Preparedness Month

Sept. 15 - Oct. 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month

Sept. 27: Gold Star Mother's Day

• Army Media Player
• Flickr: Army images
• YouTube: Army videos
• Twitter: Army updates
• delicious: Army links
• Facebook: Army's fan page

Army Professional Writing

• Jacob, the interpreter (AW)
• I don't see a woman, I see a Soldier (AS)
• Wicked problems for Afghanistan's civilian surge (DR)
• Wouldn't expect him to say anything else (AQ)

External Links Disclaimer

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 Web site 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:

Gold Star Mothers Web site

Army Long Term Family Case Management Web site