[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 149 (Tuesday, September 24, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   GOLD STAR FAMILY REMEMBRANCE WEEK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize this 
week as Gold Star Family Remembrance Week.
  Every September, Gold Star Family Remembrance Week takes place the 
week before Gold Star Mother's Day, which has been observed by 
Presidential proclamations on the last Sunday of September since 1936.
  The Gold Star symbol, a significant reminder of sacrifice, originated 
in 1917, when United States began its involvement in World War I.
  Families would hang banners to represent a family member in the armed 
services. If the family member passed in combat, the family would 
change the banner from a blue star to a gold star, a symbol of the 
highest honor and most profound loss.
  We will never know the exact number of Gold Star families. However, 
according to the National Gold Star Family Registry, at least 472,251 
fallen military members are registered by loved ones. At least 36,584 
of those servicemembers have been registered in my home State of 
Pennsylvania.
  As an Army dad, I am blessed that my son returned home. I am aware 
that this is not the case for all families, and we must take the time 
to remember, respect, and honor the families of our fallen 
servicemembers.
  I look forward to supporting efforts, such as Gold Star Family 
Remembrance Week, to honor and remember our fallen servicemembers and 
their families. This week recognizes the loss and sacrifices of 
families in support of fallen members of the Armed Forces, as well as 
veterans.
  I look forward to supporting legislative efforts to honor this 
occasion and encourage my fellow Americans to perform acts of community 
service and goodwill to honor those families.
  Our servicemembers are the bravest among us. They answer the call to 
protect and defend our country in times of war and in times of peace.
  This important week is a time to remember the families of the brave 
men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our 
freedom.
  Mr. Speaker, let us all take a moment to remember that our freedom is 
not free.
  We cannot begin to imagine the loss and the pain these families have 
experienced. Gold Star families have lost a loved one in the name of 
protecting our freedom, and they deserve our gratitude every day.

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