Gold Star Mothers Memorial - remember those who stand and wait

Veterans must also pause and salute our Gold Star Mothers
Although Veterans are rightfully honored in November during ceremonies, parades and recognitions, the remembrance about Gold Star Mothers, those who lost their children during war operations, has gone silently unnotices.  Therefore, I was pleased to read this opinion in the Daily Record, a New Jersey newspaper.  It's always timely to recognize the sacrifices made by Gold Star Mothers.

For most people the last Sunday in September will pass as any other day. For thousands of others, though, it will be a solemn day. Through a joint resolution of Congress passed in 1936, the last Sunday in September has been designated as Gold Star Mothers and Family Day. Who are the Gold Star Mothers?

Their origin begins during World War I. Families of those who had a someone in the military would hang an 8.5 by 14 inch flag in the window of their home. The border of the flag was red, with a blue star placed in the center against a white background. The number of stars corresponded to the number of individuals who are currently serving in the military. It was called the blue star service flag. When an individual was killed in action the blue star would be replaced with a gold star. Since that time to the present the mothers of those whose sons or daughters died while on active military duty have been called Gold Star Mothers. In 1929 the American Gold Star Organization was formally established through a federal charter from Congress. There are now tens of thousands of Gold Star Mothers and families across the United States.

Today, just as in days gone by, the greatest fear of any mother or family member whose child is serving in the military would be a knock on the door and be notified that the blue star had turned to gold.

Each year the New Jersey Vietnam Memorial in Holmdel is the site of an event honoring the Gold Star Mothers. Sarah Taggert, Executive Director of the Vietnam Memorial, said, “It’s really a personal day. Most people have not lost someone in a military conflict. These people deserve our respect.They deserve to be thanked for the sacrifices they have made.”

To honor the Gold Star Families, a New Jersey automobile license plates have been issued by the state Motor Vehicles Commission to the loved ones of the fallen. A Gold Star Family monument has been placed at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site in Holmdel, and Rep. Chris Smith pushed through legislation that expands the Library of Congress' history project to include family members of those who died while on active duty in the military. Through them the silenced voices can be heard. 

Gold Star Mothers Memorial

With less than 1% of the nation serving in the military and defending the freedom of the other 99%, we often forget about the sacrifices those within that 1% and their families have experienced. We, as a nation, have a duty to acknowledge the losses and everlasting pain endured by Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star families, by showing our support and gratitude on this day of remembrance. Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star families know the high cost of defending those freedoms we hold dear. 

By Carl Asszony

Those in the military do not serve alone, they have the love and support of their family, as the poet John Milton wrote, “They also serve who only stand and wait.”
Carl J. Asszony can be reached at njveteran30@gmail.com