The Gold Star Club
Created on May 28, 1918 by committee of 25 women and approved by President Woodrow Wilson, the gold star club, better known as the Gold Star Mothers establishes the respect and acknowledgement for every mother that has lost a son or daughter in war. Initially it was portrayed as a war flag with a dark blue star for every member of a family that was serving in war and a gold star for every member lost in war. It has, from time to time, slipped the memory of many Americans, but is quickly remembered.The most famous of the Gold Star Mothers was Aletta Sullivan, the mother of five Sullivan brothers who were killed in action when their ship, the USS Juneau was sunk by an enemy torpedo on November 13, 1942 during the battle of Guadalcanal; and remembered once again in the movie “Saving Private Ryan” in which only one remaining brother survived combat of World War II. On September 21, 1948 the U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp honoring the Gold Star Mothers and Mrs. Sullivan was given the first sheet of stamps issued.
You can read more about this distinctive organization on Wikipedia, where it is accurately and fairly represented. It is a pity that one of our presidential candidates has not spent at least as much time studying such issues as he has talking about them and those that are members.
As a former Army Officer I was called upon several times to escort the bodies of fallen soldiers home and represent the Army to the family and friends. While it was not a standard practice of the military, my own command provided me with a single gold star flag to give the grieving families as well as information about the organization. I only heard gratitude and appreciation from each family for us taking the time and showing the consideration for their grief and the small remembrance of their sacrifice for the nation.
There are many similar organizations that show their respect in a variety of ways. In fact, most states offer some form of a specialty license plate for Gold Star Families. One of the more unique organizations is the American Gold Star Manor located in Long Beach, California which is a 348 unit retirement home for the parents of soldiers killed while serving in the military. It was founded in the early 1960’s by Eleanor Boyd, then president of the American Gold Star Mothers organization. It remains operational today and can be found under the same name on any web search.
I keep my opinions about this current election pretty much to myself, but in this case I will make a simple exception. Any person serving or wanting to serve as the Commander in Chief of this nation needs to be capable and sincere in honoring each and every Gold Star Mother regardless of their race, religion or any other distinguishing factor. It is not their place to make political comments or any statement about the fallen or their families other than the most reverent and respectful if for no other reason that to remember were it not for their sacrifice, we certainly would never have become or remained one of the greatest nations on this earth.
To the parents of Captain Khan I would only extend my sincerest appreciation and deepest respect for their son’s service to the country as well as their most personal loss. They deserve much from our country and I commend them for their restraint and civility in this debate that has been stirred over their loss. Each and every American can take a lesson from this debate and that is the importance of honoring and cherishing the service of every American as well as having nothing but respect and reverence for those that gave their lives. As popularly and properly said “All gave some, and some gave all” …. Least we not forget.
Comments (9)
FORMER CPL., 918TH AIR SERVICE GROUP (WWII) studecar
studecar
Gold Star Families should not be used for political purposes...
By EITHER party.
The only ship in the U.S. Navy that has a name that begins with the word 'The' is USS The Sullivans (DDG-68).
Senator Clinton voted for President Bush's war.
Yes, Gary Johnson. A little weird, but I can deal with that.