[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.