Gold Star Mothers and Blue Star Mothers recognized and honored

The last Sunday in September has been designated as Gold Star Mother’s Day. In Tioga County, Gold Star Mothers, Fathers, Wives and Families, along with Blue Star Mothers, Fathers, Wives and Families are invited to a brunch given in their honor by the Veterans of Modern Warfare.

The brunch will take place on Sept. 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Common Ground, located on Route 17C (Main Street) in Owego. Those planning on attending should call Danielle at (607) 205-0902 or Bill at (607) 644-5690.

President Woodrow Wilson designated Gold Star Mother’s Day on May 28, 1918. It started during World War I by Grace Darling Seibold, whose son entered the British Air Corps (America did not have one yet). George Seibold was 23 years old.

After her son’s plane was shot down (his body was never found), Grace decided she needed to help other others who had lost sons or daughters to the war. She started volunteering in hospitals and working with the wounded and their families.

The name Gold Star comes from the flags that hung in the windows of families who had members serving overseas. The flags were red with blue stars. When a service member was killed a Gold Star was sewn over the blue as a symbol of the ultimate sacrifice the soldier and family had made.

The practice of hanging the flag in the window with a blue star for each family member serving remained during WWII and Korea. The practice faded during Viet Nam, but has once again found itself.

Look around; there are red service flags in many Owego, Candor, Spencer, and Van Etten homes. This year, there will be a three-day ceremony in Washington, D.C., and ending at Arlington Cemetery on Sept. 25.