Saturday, October 22, 2005

Gold Star Mothers

Pretty much everything Cindy Sheehan has done irritates me, but I have always felt that she had no right to use the names of those soldiers lost in Iraq and Afghanistan without the consent of their families. I also felt that the Gold Star Mothers would not participate in political events because they are for remembering their children, not furthering a political position. Now, I know that is true and The American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., Sons and Daughters In Touch and American WWII Orphans Network are requesting that their name not be used in this manner. Here is the press release from American Gold Star Mothers:
“The American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., Sons and Daughters In Touch and American WWII Orphans Network object to ‘American Gold Star Families for Peace’ misusing the term ‘Gold Star’ in its political demonstrations.

“These four organizations - representing the mothers, wives and children of U.S. service personnel killed in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and other U.S. military conflicts – are nonpolitical and do not take a position on the merits of the political demonstration being carried out by the group calling themselves ‘American Gold Star Families for Peace.’

“Our loved ones gave their lives to protect the freedom to protest, and we know all too well the pain that these families are now suffering. However, the Gold Star symbol – authorized by Congress to honor a family’s loss in service to our nation – must not be tarnished by partisan political demonstrations.”

The Department of Defense awards gold star pins to family members who have lost a loved one in military service to their country.
Go the the American Gold Star Mothers website and learn about these wonderful families and what they really care about...

Information thanks to Military Families Voice of Victory.

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