[Federal Register: September 30, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 189)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 56513-56514]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30se03-186]
Presidential Documents
[[Page 56513]]
Proclamation 7709 of September 25, 2003
Gold Star Mother's Day, 2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
As members of America's Armed Forces now protect our
country by engaging the enemies of freedom in Iraq, in
Afghanistan, and on other fronts in the war against
terrorism, they carry on a noble legacy. Today,
Americans and millions around the world enjoy freedom
because of the service and sacrifice of our military
men and women.
The cost of America's freedom is often personal. Few
pay more dearly than our Gold Star Mothers, who have
endured the death of a son or daughter in service to
our country.
More than 75 years ago, one mother's determination to
transform her personal loss into good works led to the
creation of the American Gold Star Mothers. After
receiving notice of her son's death in aerial combat
during World War I, Grace Darling Seibold devoted her
energy to volunteering in a local hospital. She began
reaching out to other mothers whose sons had died in
military service to the Nation. She organized a group
of these special mothers to help them comfort each
other and care for hospitalized veterans. Their
organization was named after the gold star service flag
that families hung in their windows in honor of family
members who had died in military service. After years
of planning, it became a national organization in 1928.
Since then, brave women have continued to come together
as Gold Star Mothers to ease the burden of their loss
and to serve others.
Today, numerous chapters of Gold Star Mothers across
our Nation offer important programs and services to
enhance the lives of veterans and provide support for
their families. Their civic education programs and help
for those in need honor the lives of their sons and
daughters and strengthen America.
The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 115 of June
23, 1936 (49 Stat. 1895 as amended), has designated the
last Sunday in September as ``Gold Star Mother's Day,''
and has authorized and requested the President to issue
a proclamation in observance of this day.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim Sunday,
September 28, 2003, as Gold Star Mother's Day. I call
upon all Government officials to display the flag of
the United States over Government buildings on this
solemn day. I also encourage the American people to
display the flag and hold appropriate meetings in their
homes, places of worship, or other suitable places as a
public expression of the sympathy and respect that our
Nation holds for our Gold Star Mothers.
[[Page 56514]]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-fifth day of September, in the year of our Lord
two thousand three, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.
(Presidential Sig.)B
[FR Doc. 03-24918
Filed 9-29-03; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P