Gold Star Mother's Day, 2000

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Part IV

The President

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Proclamation 7344--Gold Star Mother's Day, 2000

Federal Register/Vol. 65, No. 187/Tuesday, September 26, 2000/

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 7344 of September 22, 2000

Gold Star Mother's Day, 2000

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

America's Armed Forces have stood watch over our
freedom for more than two centuries. They have held
posts on lonely ridges, spent long days and nights at
sea, and faced danger in the skies. They have
sacrificed their youth, their time, and even their
lives to sustain the foundation on which our country
was built and to protect the democratic values that
keep our country strong and free.

The mothers of these courageous men and women have also
bravely stood watch--in homes once filled with the
laughter of children--and waited for word from their
loved ones. When the guns of battle fell silent, many
mothers' homes were once again filled with the
boisterous commotion of their children returning from
distant lands. But the homes of Gold Star Mothers
remained silent. Their children had made the ultimate
sacrifice for our Nation, and Gold Star Mothers were
left with the profound sorrow of their heartbreaking
loss.

But America's Gold Star Mothers rose above their
personal tragedy, and today they continue to stand
watch over our Nation. Reaching out to improve the
lives of others and to ensure that the noble
contributions of their sons and daughters are not
forgotten, they are powerful examples of service and
sacrifice for us all. With dignity, courage, and
compassion, they have worked to promote patriotism,
foster peace and goodwill, and extend a helping hand to
veterans and those in need. Their generosity of spirit
has touched the lives of countless Americans and made
certain that the selflessness their children
demonstrated in service to our country remains a
prominent part of our national character.

For their steadfast devotion to duty and their
unwavering commitment to carrying on the proud legacy
of their children, we honor these Gold Star Mothers
each year. 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 24, 2000, as Gold Star Mother's Day. I call
upon all government officials to display the United
States flag over government buildings on this solemn
day. I also encourage the American people to display
the flag and to 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-second day of September, in the year of our Lord
two thousand, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.