Photo courtesy of the City of Biloxi
A bipartisan resolution introduced by Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith last week established this week (Sept. 22-29) as “Gold Star Families Remembrance Week” to honor the families of fallen members of the Armed Forces.
The Senate last year approved a similar resolution offered by Hyde-Smith that, for the first time, began a formal recognition of the sacrifices made by families of U.S. military service members who lost their lives in service to the nation. The new resolution, S.Res.313, continues this commemoration.
“Entire families share the grief and loss of a loved one, who has died while serving to defend us. This resolution recognizes that fact and asks the American people to honor the families affected by the loss of a loved one in service to our country,” Hyde-Smith said.
Gold Star Families Remembrance Week is a prelude to Gold Star Mother’s Day, observed by presidential proclamation since 1936 on the last Sunday of September. There is no official date dedicated to families affected by the loss of a loved one who died in the service of the United States.
In setting aside Sept. 22-29 as a week of remembrance for Gold Star families, S.Res.313 encourages the people of the United States to perform acts of service and goodwill to honor the fallen, veterans, and their families. It states that “the sacrifices of the families of the fallen members of the Armed Forces and the families of veterans of the Armed Forces should never be forgotten.”
The resolution is co-sponsored by Senators Doug Jones (Ala.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
A copy of the Gold Star Families Remembrance Week resolution is available here.
