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UID:5642@tualatinvfwaux.org
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250928T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20250928T000000
DTSTAMP:20250925T215051Z
URL:https://tualatinvfwaux.org/events/gold-star-mothers-familys-day/
SUMMARY:Gold Star Mother's & Family's Day -  - 28 Sep 25 00:00
DESCRIPTION:According to a 2022 article by Abigail Carey\, Army Public Affa
 irs Fellow\, on the website of Arlington National Cemetery\, "The origin o
 f what would become Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day started with a sim
 ple accessory: a black armband with a gilt star."\n\nThese armbands were w
 orn by the family members of those killed in World War I\, which led to ha
 nging banners with stars in windows or on doors. As many Auxiliary members
  know\, a blue star meant a family member was serving. A gold star meant t
 hat loved one would never come home.\n\nIn 1918\, Grace Darling Seibold be
 came one of too many mothers to have to replace her blue star with a gold 
 one. Her son George\, age 23\, was declared dead\, though his body was nev
 er recovered. In 1928\, she and 24 other mothers whose sons were killed in
  action formed Gold Star Mothers\, Inc. Each had experienced an unquantifi
 able loss\, but they joined together to honor their veterans through acts 
 of service\, as described by their mission statement: "Finding the strengt
 h in the fellowship of other Gold Star Mothers who strive to keep the memo
 ry of our sons and daughters alive by working to help veterans\, those cur
 rently serving in the military\, their families\, and our communities."\n\
 nFrom 1929-1933\, the VFW Auxiliary supported the efforts of the United St
 ates government when they allowed for a pilgrimage of 7\,700 Gold Star Mot
 hers to France where they would finally set eyes on the final resting plac
 es of their sons who fought and died in World War I. Members of the Auxili
 ary welcomed these women when they arrived in New York ahead of the journe
 y\, entertaining them during their stay and waving them goodbye as their b
 oat sailed toward Europe. Each mother had been presented a large "Buddy"®
  Poppy\, tied with a victory ribbon\, and an American Flag\, by the VFW Au
 xiliary. Four contingents of Gold Star Mothers made this trip over a span 
 of four years\; upon return\, many told Auxiliary members they had left th
 e poppies on the graves of their sons.\n\nIn 1936\, a joint congressional 
 resolution determined the last Sunday in September would officially be des
 ignated Gold Star Mother's Day and in 2016\, President Obama issued a Gold
  Star Mother's Day proclamation that introduced a change to the holiday: i
 t would henceforth officially be known as Gold Star Mother's and Family's 
 Day\, to recognize the immeasurable grief and unique challenges shared by 
 all members of those lost in war\, our Gold Star Families.\n\nOur hearts a
 re with our Gold Star Mothers and Families this Sunday\, September 28\, as
  they have been on every day of every year since the very first mother aff
 ixed the first black armband with a gilt star to her arm more than 100 yea
 rs ago.\n\nBelow\, please click to watch National President Lois Callahan'
 s Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day address:\n\n
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