Assembly Resolution No. 443

BY: M. of A. Barrett

RECOGNIZING September 26, 2021, as Gold Star
Mother's and Family's Day, and honoring the
sacrifices of the Gold Star family members from the
State of New York

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Forces from the State of New York, who
have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this country's
freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace in
peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
September 26, 2021, as Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day, and to honor
the sacrifices of the Gold Star family members from the State of New
York; and

WHEREAS, A Gold Star Family is the immediate family of fallen
service members who died while serving in a time of conflict; and

WHEREAS, The Gold Star first made an appearance during World War I
after being placed over a service flag's blue star when a service member
was killed in combat; the Gold Star honors those who made the ultimate
sacrifice for our country and also signifies the family's pride in the
loved one's sacrifice rather than the mourning period of their personal
loss; and

WHEREAS, A Gold Star Family can display a Gold Star Service flag for
service members who were killed or died while serving in the Armed
Forces; and

WHEREAS, In addition, many Gold Star families wear the Gold Star
lapel pin issued by the United States Department of Defense, to signify
their pride; these pins, worn by spouses, parents, and children, display
a Gold Star with a purple background surrounded by a gold wreath; and

WHEREAS, The Gold Star Mother's Family Memorial was created by Medal
of Honor recipient "Woody" Williams to remember those families who have
made the ultimate sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, The State of New York is home to three of these respected
memorials located in Albany, Rochester and Romulus; the Albany Memorial,
across from the New York State Capitol, was dedicated on April 29, 2017;
the Rochester Memorial, adjacent to the All Seasons Chapel, was
dedicated in June of 2016; and the Romulus Memorial, found at the
Sampson Veterans Cemetery, was dedicated on October 14, 2017; and

WHEREAS, The Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day is the last Sunday
in September each year; on June 23, 1936, a joint congressional
resolution designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother's
Day and has been proclaimed by each President since then; in 2011,
President Barack Obama amended the day to "Gold Star Mother's and
Family's Day"; and

WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize
that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; and

WHEREAS, The strength of the United States Military is its soldiers;
the strength of its soldiers is their families, and no one has given
more for the nation than the families of the fallen; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize September 26, 2021, as Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day,
and to honor the sacrifices by the Gold Star family members from the
State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Gold Star family members of the State of New York.