Duty, honor, courage…
Comfort, healing, valor...
In
part from the Presidential Proclamation on Gold Star
Mother’s and Family’s Day, 2018
“Courageous Americans of
every generation have given their last full measure of devotion in defense
of our country and our freedom. The families who stood alongside these
heroes have paid a price no family should ever have to pay. Gold Star
Mother’s and Family’s Day is a solemn reminder that these families ‑‑ the
families of our fallen service members ‑‑ bear the burden of their loss
forever.
A century ago, President
Woodrow Wilson approved a recommendation by the Women’s Committee of National
Defenses for mothers to display a gold star on an armband of black cloth to
enhance public recognition for the loss of their children in World
War I. Since then, millions of families have tragically traded in
blue stars for heroes fighting for America for gold stars of the fallen ‑‑
a badge of honor they wished they would never have to hold.
Although they have
suffered unimaginable sorrow, Gold Star families have charged forward with
inspiring strength and determination, giving selflessly to their communities
and our country. They support our men and women in uniform, our wounded
warriors, and our veterans. Their unselfish leadership fosters patriotism
and encourages us to consider what we can do to be better citizens.”
Today, we honor the memory of Major Stephen
Reich. While trying to rescue
an elite U.S. military team that still remains missing in the mountains of
Kunar province, MAJ Reich of Washington Depot, Conn. was one of 16 troops
killed when their MH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down. The soldiers were
assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) from Georgia.
Today,
we honor the courage and fortitude of Major
Reich’s mother who continues to work tirelessly to honor veterans in many ways,
one of which is as President of the Board of Quilts of Valor Foundation.
Thank you, Sue, for
being a leader in all you do to honor the memory of those brave men and women
lost to us forever and to comfort and honor those brave men and women whom we
can wrap with comfort and healing.
