Gold Star Mothers Day In Ny

This week, Senator Bill Larkin reports to residents that he is cosponsoring legislation (S.7077) in the State Senate that would establish "Gold Star Mothers' Day" as a day of commemoration in New York State.

"The purpose of this bill is to honor the mothers who have lost a son or daughter in one of our country's wars," said Senator Larkin. "These are the moms whose sons or daughters made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. We should honor them by setting aside a day to reflect on what they have given to our nation."

The bill proposes to make Gold Star Mothers’ Day the last Sunday in September every year. It has passed both the Senate and the Assembly and has been sent to the Governor for his signature.

During the early days of World War I, a Blue Star was used to represent each person, man or woman in the Military Service of the United States. As the war progressed and men were killed in combat, others wounded and died of their wounds or disease, there came about the accepted usage of the Gold Star.

This Gold Star was eventually superimposed over the blue star. The idea of the Gold Star was that the honor and glory accorded the person for his supreme sacrifice for his country would be the last full measure of devotion and pride of his family in this sacrifice.

On June 4, 1928, a group of twenty-five mothers residing in Washington, DC, met to make plans to organize a national organization to be known as American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. On January 5, 1929, the organization was incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia.

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is a member of the Advisory Board of the Veterans Administration Voluntary Service. Almost all Chapters of American gold Star Mothers throughout the United States give many hours of volunteer work and personal service in all hospitals for veterans and to veterans and their families in their community.