Gold Star Mother's Day, 2004

Proclamation 7821 of September 25, 2004

Gold Star Mother's Day, 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.

(Presidential Sig.)B