It is Gold Star Mothers Day

September 25, 2011
Colorado, USA

TEXAS -- Patriots of North Texas (Wichita Falls area) honored four Gold Star Mothers and their families today. The following is a speech delivered by my Mom (Nezzie) during the event.

Greetings and welcome to this gathering in recognition of Gold Star Mother’s Day.

In the words of Gold Star Mothers Monument sculptor, Andrew Chernak: The loss of a child in any circumstance is a grievous blow to a family, but, uniquely so to the mother who bore that child. One group of Mothers that especially stands apart from the norm are the Gold Star Mothers of America's fallen heroes. They are patriotic, loyal, and sympathetic. They understand our nation’s freedom is not to be taken for granted. The grief and loss these women have endured never leaves them, yet the Mothers rise above their pain in tribute to life going on. The Mothers have collectively served millions of hours in volunteer work, personal service in our nation's Veterans hospitals, and to the Veteran and his family in their community. In serving this way, the Mothers have turned their grief into a positive force. If you want to know quiet greatness, spend a little time in the presence of a Gold Star Mother.

A child is the life’s work of a Mother. Being a Mother supersedes all other interests, goals, and desires. No work is more important to a Mother than the proper raising of a child.

Mothers of soldiers send their beloved sons and daughters out into the world instilled with a heightened sense of purpose, a love of country and a profound dedication to a duty that serves to protect all that is dear about the American way of life.

Mothers of soldiers stand proud as their sons and daughters venture forth to do the work so few in our society openly acknowledge as important. Mothers of soldiers somehow find the strength to support children who choose to serve our country, knowing in their hearts that protecting freedom often exacts a heavy toll.

When we hear about the loss of a soldier, we do not always acknowledge that this brave soul was some Mother’s son or daughter. Mothers of fallen soldiers live with the realization that they have contributed their life’s work to the greater good. We do not often hear that out of such tragedy emerges the Mother of a Hero, a Gold Star Mother, a woman shouldering a designation any Mother would gladly forgo.

General James A. Garfield said in 1868: They summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and virtue.

Mothers of soldiers already know their children are heroes. Brave sons and daughters become heroes the day they sign on to serve and defend this country with the whole of their beings, including their life.

It is a humbling experience to be in the presence of Mothers such as these today -- the mothers of our bravest and best. Under the most abject circumstances, these women do their children proud by rallying to serve others, by helping to preserve and honor the memory of the fallen, and by embracing the soldiers who do come safely home.

To properly honor our dead, we must honor our living. With that said, it is an honor to gather in appreciation of Gold Star Mothers, on not only this day set aside for it, but also every day. We do that by surrounding these Mothers with our love, support and encouragement in return for what they have given us. We celebrate the face these mothers put on overwhelming adversity, the face of courage and quiet strength. We are proud of your soldier sons and daughters and we know they would be proud of you. It may not be your choice, but it is your legacy and every American’s charge to make certain we always remember your soldier’s service to and sacrifice for this nation.

The streets of freedom are paved with the blood of our brave and the tears of those whose lives are forever changed by the loss of soldier sons and daughters. The memorial we build in our collective hearts in honor of those brave souls is fostered in the spirit of unity, pride in nation, and a lasting culture of remembrance we create out of our commitment to build upon the alter of their bright and shining gift to humanity. The gift of Freedom.

If you carry nothing more away from this Gold Star Mothers Day, please know this: In the presence of a Gold Star Mother, we all become the better part of ourselves. Most Americans realize there is a debt, that you and yours paid in full on our behalf and we will remain eternally grateful for it. Because of your dedication to others, the families of soldiers who safely return home will celebrate that good fortune for the rest of their lives. In your presence, a grizzled Veteran stands taller, flag at his side and toughens his resolve to honor the fallen.

We gather here today to celebrate you; our Gold Star Mothers in appreciation of the work you do to keep alive our great traditions, and out of respect for the example you set that inspires hope and patriotism in your fellow citizens.

God bless each of you and your families…
God bless the men and women of our military who protect our freedom and liberty…
And God Bless America…
September 25, 2011