Assembly Resolution No. 514
BY: M. of A. Barrett
RECOGNIZING September 29, 2019, 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 Services 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 29, 2019, 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 member(s) of a
fallen service member who died while serving in a time of conflict; and
WHEREAS, Gold Star families, whose members went off to serve their
country, displayed a white flag with a red board around it, and the flag
had a blue star for every member who was serving; 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 their country, and also signifies the family's pride in
the loved one's sacrifice rather than the mourning 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 Mothers 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 Season's 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, 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; 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 29, 2019, 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 be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Gold Star family members from the State of New York.