Gold Star Mothers Day Observed ~ September 29, 2013
The United States began observing Gold Star Mothers Day on the last Sunday of September in 1936. It is a day for people to recognize and honor those who have lost a son or daughter while serving the United States Armed Forces.
Mothers of fallen service members began calling themselves “Gold Star Mothers” during the First World War, but the sorrowful bond they share reaches back to every woman who has lost a son or daughter in uniform since our nation’s revolution.
In 1918 President Woodrow Wilson approved the wearing of black armbands bearing a gold star by those who had a family member who died in the military service to the United States. This distinguished them from the blue stars, representing a family member presently serving in the armed forces.
During World War I, families would hang flags in their windows that were white with red borders, inside, a blue star would represent each family member who was serving in the military. The name the Gold Star Mothers was derived from the custom of military families who when a service member was killed, the blue star was changed to a gold star.
Eleven years after the end of World War I, the United States Congress took an unprecedented step in the history of warfare, giving unusual recognition to the mothers of those killed in that war.
American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. was incorporated in 1929, obtaining a federal charter from the US Congress. It began with 25 mothers living in the Washington DC area and soon expanded to include affiliated groups throughout the nation. On June 23, 1936, a joint congressional resolution designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother’s Day, a holiday that has been observed each year by a presidential proclamation.
In 1947, the Gold Star Lapel pin was designed and created to be presented to eligible surviving family members of service members who died while deployed in support of overseas contingency operations, or who died from wounds sustained in theater. A gold star symbolizes a family member who died in the line of duty while serving the United States Armed Forces. It may be seen on a service flag or in the form of a pin, which is worn by Gold Star mothers. The pin is not limited to mothers and it is awarded by the US Department of Defense.
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..”
Honor and Remember ~ A New Hampshire Hero
Remembering Sgt. 1st Class Robert E. Rooney, 43, died Sept. 25, 2003 in an accident in Kuwait. He was struck by a forklift while unloading on a pier in Shuabai Port/Spod.
An Operation Desert Storm veteran and 21-year U.S. Army National Guardsman, he is the first Massachusetts Army National Guard soldier to die in a war zone since World War II.
Robert was a longtime resident of Plymouth, MA but had moved to Nashua, NH with his wife Diane, in 2002, to be closer to family members. He had a passion for NASCAR and was following the circuit and his favorite driver, Jeff Gordon. While he was in Kuwait, a friend taped the races and sent them to him. “Jeff Gordon was his idol,” Diane recalls. “He has so much Gordon stuff in our home it’s not funny! That’s pretty much all we would buy him for Christmas”.
He was a member of the National Guard’s 379th Engineer Company, based in Bourne. His unit was mobilized in January to support Operation Enduring Freedom. The 379th Engineer Company’s primary mission is to construct and recontour secondary and main roadways.
“Sergeant Rooney was a devoted husband, father and a respected colleague. We mourn his loss. He honors his family, his unit and the National Guard with his dedication, service and sacrifice for our nation.”
Sgt. Rooney joined the National Guard in 1982 and for the past 20 years worked full-time at Camp Edwards at the Massachusetts Military Reservation at the unit training equipment site, where he was an operational maintenance shop chief.
The unit training equipment site services all Mass. National Guard units, providing and maintaining vital equipment, such as heavy trucks and self-propelled artillery for training throughout the year.
TO REMEMBER IS TO HONOR….
SFC Robert E. Rooney
Sen. Barnes and Rep. Baldasaro join George Lutz in New Hampshire
Senator Barnes and Rep Baldasaro on June 16, 2010 at the presentation of personalized flags to Jim and Lynn Savage by George Lutz.
Veterans Park Dedication
Please join us on Sunday, October 6, 2013, at 2 p.m. at the newly restored and enhanced Veterans’ Park at Jacob Square, Hooksett, NH as we dedicate the park. To search for directions, use 5 Veterans’ Drive; that’s the church adjacent to the park.
The event will include the dedication of a new memorial area “to honor all who served in war and peace.”
Parking will be available in the Congregational Church parking lot, on Veterans’ Drive and, if necessary, at the Holy Rosary Church.
Kathie Northrup, Chair
Hooksett Heritage Commission
Run For The Fallen ~ NH
Dear Families, Friends and Supporters,
Our 2013 Run has come and gone and again this year. We find that the spirit of the day has touched us in way only our hearts can speak.
We hope you share this spirit and it stays with you throughout the year. Over 700 of us came together on Sept. 15th, 2013 to celebrate the lives of our 71 Fallen Heroes. This was our biggest turnout yet.
We are ever grateful for our sponsors and donors, without their generosity the event would not be possible. We also thank our volunteers for their time and support and for our runners commitment & energy. Clearly we all share a dedication to preserving the memory of these men and women of our state’s military who lost their lives while bravely protecting our freedom. Crucially, your participation and support ensures that we continue to tell the stories of our soldiers, and for that, we and their families are forever indebted.
We are currently debriefing and already looking to make 2014 even better!
Please check back on our web for fund raising events throughout this and next year and stay in touch via Facebook. Also, merchandise is always available via the Online Shop.
Warmly,
“RFTF-NH” {Julie, Fran, Cindy, Nichole}
www.runforthefallennh.org
Our 71 Fallen Heroes
Never forget – To Remember is to Honor…
RUN FOR THE FALLEN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Join us for a tribute run honoring our NH fallen military Heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice since 9/11/01. Hug a family of a Hero as they stand by their loved one’s poster.
The course is 12 miles, however, you don’t have to go the whole distance! Trolleys travel the course to pick you up at any time. Run, Rest, Rehydrate, Run some more!
The entire run is free! All we ask is for you to thank our heroes’ loved one for their tremendous sacrifice.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2013
REGISTRATION/SIGN IN OPENS AT 6:30 AM @ ODIORNE STATE PARK
August 2013 Casualties
We remember these eleven heroes who gave their lives and the families they left behind.
Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis, 24, of Staten Island, N.Y.
Sgt. 1st Class Ricardo D. Young, 34, of Rosston, Ark.
1st Lt. Jason Togi, 24, of Pago Pago, American Samoa
Spc. Kenneth Clifford Alvarez, 23, of Santa Maria, Calif
Pvt. Jonathon Michael Dean Hostetter, 20, of Humphreys, Mo.
Master Sgt. George A. Bannar Jr., 37, of Orange, Va
1st Lt. Timothy G. Santos Jr., 29, of Helena, Ala
Staff Sgt. Octavio Herrera, 26, of Caldwell, Idaho,
Sgt. Jamar A. Hicks, 22, of Little Rock, Ark.
Spc. Keith E. Grace Jr., 26, of Baytown, Texas
Spc. Nickolas S. Welch, 26, of Mill City, Ore
NH Chapter appoints new Director
There are some new and exciting changes in the NH Chapter! Bill Geary, Gold Star Uncle has been appointed the new director of Honor and Remember New Hampshire Chapter, together with Paul Boore, Veteran and Jim Savage, Gold Star Father and Veteran will be Co-Directors.
We have all worked hard over the past 2 and half years and have been through 2 years of working with legislation. So…2014 – that will be the year!!!
I will still be on the NH Chapter, working with Gold Star families, flag presentations, etc. I am so honored to have been entrusted with being the Director for the past few years!
Love you all!!!
NH will never forget!
Blessings,
Susan
1st Annual Honor and Remember Motorcycle Ride for New Hampshire
Hello everyone….
First Annual Honor and Remember Motorcycle Ride was exciting. I just had no idea of what to expect. With lots of other rides going on I did start to feel disappointed in our numbers, but realized what a blessing the day was in that we were able to present 3 personalized flags! The families that received their heroes flags are what we are about and they know that we will always be there to remember their loved one and in doing so we honor the family. Our goal is to provide flags for any NH Gold Star family that would like a personalized flag.
I was overwhelmed by the presentation of the $700.00 from the VFW Men’s Auxiliary in Milford, NH. There are now two families that will be sponsored!! This came about during our meeting at the VFW with Mike Buffelli (Bar-B-Q’s Plus) and his friend Mick. We gave Mick a brochure and he took the info back to the VFW and their upcoming meeting – they wrote that check on the 7th!!
I am grateful to God for the day – all came together with so many hands to help!
Blessings,
Sue
Blue/Gold Star Mother Jean Durgin and
Gold Star Mother Rhonda Rollins supporting
our 1st Annual Ride
