    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    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 3090]]
    117 STAT. 3090

    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.
    GEORGE W. BUSH