[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 189 (Tuesday, September 30, 2003)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 56513-56514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24918]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 189 / Tuesday, September 30, 2003 / 
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