Email   Print   Share By ACS Survivor Outreach Services staff

Facebook Digg Delicious September 20, 2012 | Editorial

For the past 76 years, the United States has recognized the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother’s Day. Fort Hood Survivor Outreach Services is an Army Community Services program that provides short-and long-term support to survivors of service members who died while on active duty.

Currently, Fort Hood SOS supports approximately 222 Gold Star mothers. When we think of our fallen heroes and the mothers mourning their loss, finding words to express our sorrow can be extremely difficult, and often, impossible. Though words may be hard to find, there is something special we all can do on this spectacular day of remembrance. All Americans can keep the Gold Star mothers in their prayers.

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., was organized in 1928, incorporated in 1929 and chartered by Congress in 1984. This is an organization of mothers whose sons and daughters died while serving in the armed forces of the United States. The success of AGSM continues because of the bond of mutual love, sympathy, respect and support of the many loyal, capable and patriotic Mothers who while sharing their grief and pride, have channeled their precious time, efforts and gifts to lessen the pain of others. By supporting our nation and healing one another, American Gold Star Mothers stand proud and tall. They pay honor to fallen heroes and assist our veterans and service members, while preserving the principles that their children served, fought and died for. The initiative to establish this amazing group started during the World War I era. Families would display gold stars in their windows to honor a child killed while serving our great nation. Years later, 25 mothers met in Washington, D.C. to establish AGSM. This extraordinary group of women provided support to grieving mothers, Families and wounded Soldiers.

June 23, 1936, a joint congressional resolution designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother’s Day. This special day has been observed each year by a presidential proclamation. This day is a public expression of love, sorrow, and most of all reverence for Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star Families.

Here at Fort Hood, Gold Star mothers are invited to meet at the Survivor Outreach Services Center at noon Sept. 29, to share memories of their fallen Soldier, their journey in dealing with their loss and support to other mothers who have lost a child serving their country.

Lighting a luminary on Gold Star Mother’s Day has become a tribute to those Mothers and lets them know they don’t stand alone. Luminaries may be made by attendees to take home. Light refreshments will be served at the Sept. 29 event, which runs from noon to 3 p.m. For more information, call Survivor Outreach Services at 288-3655, or stop by their offices in Bldg. 10043, located on Battalion Avenue.