Aug. 1 would be designated as Gold Star Children’s Day under a bipartisan resolution introduced this week by U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS).
“The children of our nation’s fallen patriots make a sacrifice that is difficult to comprehend,” said Sen. Wicker, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee. “These sons and daughters are heroes in their own right, and the least we can do is recognize their service. This resolution is a small token of our nation’s appreciation and respect.”
Sen. Wicker and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduced the resolution to recognize the sacrifices of the children of fallen service members. To date, there has been no nationally recognized holiday to honor Gold Star Children, according to the lawmakers.
“No child should ever have to grow up without a parent, and I cannot imagine the pain of losing any loved one in the line of duty,” Sen. Manchin said. “West Virginians and Americans are forever grateful to the brave patriots and their families who have sacrificed so much for the country we all love.”
According to the text of the resolution, the recognition of Gold Star Families in the United States dates back to World War I, when the families of fallen service members displayed a service flag with a gold star in the window of their homes.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936 signed into law legislation declaring Gold Star Mother’s Day, and since 2010, the U.S. Senate has honored Gold Star Spouses by resolution annually on April 5, recognizing the unique sacrifices made by spouses of fallen service members, the text says.
The resolution would encourage Americans to observe Gold Star Children’s Day in support of the children of the fallen men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.