Today is Gold Star Mothers Day. The first national Gold Star Mothers Day was observed the last Sunday in September, 1936. The term Gold Star Mother refers to any mother who has lost a child in the service of our country. Gold Stars are not limited however to just women, as it includes brothers, husbands, stepsons, of men and women who have lost their lives in the service of our country.
I have a Gold Star, along with my mother, my sister, and my younger brother given to us on behalf of President George W. Bush, May 24, 2007, at the burial of my brother, Capt. Herbert C. Crosby, US Army. He was MIA, January 10, 1970, repatriated, January 27, 1986, and buried Arlington National Cemetery, May 25, 2007. It is an honor to wear this pin in respect of him, and all our defenders of freedom from all wars.

Take time to visit the American Gold Star Mothers website to find out more about this organization, and the people it represents. There is some really good history here to read.

Proclamation by the President of the United States
Whereas the preamble to Public Resolution 123, 74th Congress, approved June 23, 1936 (40 Stat. 1895), recites:

Whereas the service rendered the United States by the American mother is the greatest source of the Country’s strength and inspiration; and “Whereas we honor ourselves and the mothers of America when we revere and give emphasis to the home as the fountainhead of the State; and

“Whereas the American mother is doing so much for the home and for the moral and spiritual uplift of the people of the United States and hence so much for good government and humanity; and

“Whereas the American Gold Star Mothers suffered the supreme sacrifice of motherhood in the loss of their sons and daughters in World Wars”

and Whereas the said Public Resolution 12 provides:

“That the President of the United States is hereby authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the Government officials to display the United States flag on all Government buildings, and the people of the United States to display the flag and to hold appropriate meetings in their homes, churches, or other suitable places, on the last Sunday in September, as public expression of the love, sorrow and reverence of the people of the United States for the American Gold Star Mothers.”

“Sec. 2. That the last Sunday in September shall hereafter be designated and known as “Gold Star Mother’s Day,” and it shall be the duty of the President to request its observance as provided for in this resolution.”