    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 40 (Monday, October 4, 2004)]
    [Page 2152]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Proclamation 7821--Gold Star Mother's Day, 2004

     September 25, 2004

     By the President of the United States

     of America

     A Proclamation

        Americans have always answered the call to serve our Nation. Many
    brave American men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend
    freedom's blessings, and no one feels their loss more deeply than their
    mothers. On Gold Star Mother's Day, we remember these mothers who have
    suffered the loss of a son or daughter through service to our country.
    We honor their courage and perseverance and the memory of their
    children.
        Across our Nation, these compassionate and generous women are
    volunteering to serve veterans, helping families of service members,
    supporting educational programs that promote patriotism and citizenship,
    and turning their grief into action. They inspire all Americans with
    their compassion and service. On this day, people across America join
    together to honor our Gold Star mothers and send our gratitude, prayers,
    and best wishes to them and to their families.
        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 26, 2004, 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.
        In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth
    day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
    ninth.
                                                    George W. Bush

     [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:04 a.m., September
    28, 2004]

    Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on
    September 29.