NH Gold Star Mothers Day ~ 1st Sunday following Easter ~ April 15, 2012
During the First World War, in May 1918, President Woodrow Wilson approved the suggestion of the Women's Committee of National Defenses recommending that American women should wear a black band on the upper left arm adorned with a gold star. Each star representing a family member who had given his or her life for their country. President Woodrow Wilson first used the term "Gold Star Mother" in his Letter to the Women's Committee.
The mothers of New Hampshire’s fallen heroes have made the ultimate sacrifice for human freedom, and we owe them the most profound debt of gratitude. More than anyone, they bear the deep emotional burden and loss of those who have laid down their lives for the cause of liberty. New Hampshire owes these dignified and graceful mothers of freedom our deepest admiration and our promise that the sacrifice of their children will never be forgotten.
To assure that their children would not be forgotten, in 1999, Gov. Jeanne Shaheen signed into law RSA 4:13-h: “Gold Star Mother’s Day” calling for
...the proper observance of the first Sunday after Easter which shall be known as Gold Star Mother's Day recognizing and honoring all mothers who have lost sons or daughters while on duty in the United States armed forces. The governor shall urge the citizens of the state to observe this day with appropriate events...
Each year, this observance is an opportunity to offer our solemn respect to Gold Star Mothers and renew our ongoing pledge that America will always remember those who died while wearing the uniform of the United States and forever honor their families' sacrifice.
In the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944:
"There is nothing adequate which anyone in any place can say to those who are entitled to display the gold star in their windows America lives in freedom because of the sacrifices of America's finest citizens and of the mothers who raised them.."
On behalf of the New Hampshire Gold Star Mothers Memorial Association, you are cordially invited to attend the following event.
A reception on Sunday, April 15, NH Gold Star Mothers Day, in the Currier Room at the Radisson Hotel on Elm Street in Manchester, NH. The reception will begin at 1:00 p.m. and there will be a wreath laying ceremony to follow at 2:00 p.m. at the statue in Stanton Plaza in front of the Radisson.
We hope you can join us for this special event. Please call 603-714-1091 with questions and to RSVP.
1st Annual Gathering of Gold Star Families, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans and Veterans of All Generations.
Please join us for our 1st Annual Gathering of Gold Star Families, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans, and Veterans of all Generations, to help us honor our most recent Fallen Veterans, their Families and our current generation of Veterans.
This gathering will be held at the Manchester N.H. VA Medical Center on Saturday, May 12th, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Participants will tour our new Veterans’ Memorial Hallway, which houses the Memorial Wall, with its 54 portraits of the Fallen Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
We hope this 1st First Annual Gathering will help build a greater sense of community among the Families of the Fallen, our current generation of Veterans and Veterans of all generations.
Please RSVP with the approximate number of your party planning to attend and your contact information, to Denise Gionet at (603) 635-3138 or at DeniseGionet51@comcast.net; or to Wayne Nelson at (603) 661-4572 or at wenelson@hotmail.com.
Run for the Fallen ~ Honoring and Remembering
On Sunday August 21, 2011 we had the opportunity to honor the fallen soldiers from New Hampshire and their families who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom since 9/11.
The day began with a reading of the names of NH's heroes followed by a color guard ceremony by the Civil Air Patrol of NH and a 21 gun salute by the Marine Corps League. The course was a 12 mile loop. Many families joined us and stood by their soldier's poster along the route. Runners stopped by each soldier's poster, hugging and thanking the families, saluting soldiers and touching each soldier's poster.
At the Run's completion everyone came together (runners, volunteers, families of the fallen) for a lunch provided free of charge by Carrabba's Italian Grill and entertainment by Liberty Band, the Air Force rock band. The day was a precious gift for all involved, a treasure that touched all of us in ways only our hearts can speak.
Run for the Fallen New Hampshire is a small way to show these families how grateful we are. We will never forget New Hampshire’s heroes and the families who pay for our freedom each day...they paid the ultimate sacrifice.
As a mother, you never dreamed though a bit chagrined
That the child you nurtured, loved, and disciplined
Would leave home without your watchful eye unprotected
And face the world alone while being subjected
To life's wrath and to mankind's unthinkable wickedness
Naïvely stating, "I'm going to fix the world's mess."
As a mother, you developed your offspring's foundation
Though some days, tears were felt, instead of elation
Yet, lessons you learned and taught helped you resolve
To allow freedom hoping that right would evolve
But some choices, though tough, left you with little doubt
You might lose your child and be left forever without.
Today we honor your sacrifices and hope you understand
That we are here for you to hold your trembling hand
And let you know your grief is felt from both near and far
Pain felt and seen by everyone like the brightest star
An eternal reminder of your sorrow and of your sacrifice
Knowing your child fought bravely and paid the price.
We honor your love and devotion to a child that is gone
To the memory of a soldier that sees no dusk or dawn
We honor you today as an American Gold Star Mother
And ask your forgiveness, as we remind one another
Links to our tribute sites for the fallen for political purposes is strictly forbidden.
The New Hampshire Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star Mothers of America, Inc. are a non-partisan, non-political organization. We do not support any political candidate nor do we endorse any religious organization. The military represents all aspects of America as does our organization. Links to our website do not represent an endorsement.
