Gold Star Mother's Day, 1996

Proclamation 6923 of September 27, 1996

Gold Star Mother's Day, 1996

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Of all the many bonds between one human and another,
the love of a mother for her children touches the
deepest chords of passion and selfless devotion. A
mother willingly gives her affection, her work, and her
spirit to prepare her children to go forth into the
world and make their own way. Few of us can appreciate
the strength of this tie more keenly than a mother
whose son or daughter has died while serving our
country.

Every Gold Star Mother has lived through this tragedy.
She has experienced firsthand the shock of having a
child taken away abruptly, at the brink of achieving
his or her promise for fulfillment; she has suffered
the terrible realization that years of love, nurturing,
and teaching have been lost in a seemingly random
event; and, ultimately, she has faced the need to
rededicate her life in a way that will give continued
meaning to the precious memory of her child's existence
on earth.

Instead of withdrawing into the privacy of their
anguish, these courageous women channel their grief
into constructive service, memorializing their children
by living lives dedicated to helping others. Gold Star
Mothers do this not for personal gain, but in the hope
of making our world a better place.

Whether comforting a disabled veteran in a VA hospital,
counseling the family of a recently fallen member of
our Armed Forces, or working for a community volunteer
group, America's Gold Star Mothers make a real
difference to those in need. They also serve our
national community by fostering and promoting
patriotism and respect for our Nation, our flag, and
our men and women in uniform. Their unselfish
leadership helps strengthen communities and sets an
example for people across our country.

As we honor America's Gold Star Mothers and observe
this special day, we also pray for them and for their
families, that they may find peace and reconciliation
in the knowledge that their work keeps alive the noble
spirit of their sons and daughters. Having lost their
most precious gift--their children--they deserve no
less than our eternal gratitude.

In recognition of the outstanding courage of our Gold
Star Mothers, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution
115 of June 23, 1936 (49 Stat. 1895), 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, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim Sunday,
September 29, 1996, as Gold Star Mother's Day. I call
upon all government officials to display the United
States flag on government buildings on this solemn day.
I additionally urge the American people to display the
flag and to hold appropriate meetings in their homes,
places of worship, or other suitable places, as public
expression of the sympathy and the respect that our
Nation holds for its Gold Star Mothers.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-seventh day of September, in the year of our
Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-six, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and twenty-first.