Gold Star Mothers to be honored Sept. 28

By presidential proclamation, Gold Star Mothers Day is observed in the United States on Sunday, Sept. 28. It is a day for people to honor mothers whose sons or daughters served and died in times of war or conflict.

Each year on the last Sunday of September, the United States President calls on all Americans to display the nation’s flag and hold appropriate meetings to publicly express their love, sorrow and reverence toward Gold Star Mothers and their families. Government buildings are required to display the flag.

Locally, on Gold Star Mothers Day church pastors are encouraged to lead their congregations in a service that expresses their love, sorrow and reverence in public to the Gold Star mothers and their families.

The name Gold Star Mothers was derived from the custom of military families who put a service flag near their front window. The flag featured a star for each family member serving their country – living members were denoted in blue but gold stars honored family members who were killed while in duty.

For more information on Gold Star Mothers Day, contact Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Day Chairman Jim Raftis by email to jraftis2@stny.rr.com or by calling (607) 687-4229.