President Trump has officially declared September 24, 2017 as Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day — the same day that football players across the nation are kneeling during the national anthem.
Trump issued the proclamation Saturday, noting that the day is to “honor and extend our deepest gratitude to the families of military service members who gave their last full measure of devotion to our country.”
“Gold Star families have paid the ultimate price for our Nation’s freedom with the life of their loved ones,” the proclamation reads. “Our grateful Nation grieves with them in their loss, but also shares their pride in the selfless service of their sons and daughters.”
The proclamation went on to mention that the nation is “built on the sacrifices of men and women who have willingly raised their hand to defend our Nation and its security” and that the country stands with the Gold Star families.
“On this day of remembrance, we pay tribute to those brave men and women in uniform who died protecting our great Nation, and we stand with the families who nurtured and loved them,” the proclamation reads. “Gold Star families have our sympathy, but more importantly, they have our respect and our gratitude.”
The proclamation is not a coincidence. The letter itself pointed to a Senate resolution passed in 1936 that proclaimed the last Sunday in every September as Gold Star Mother’s Day; the statement then officially announced September 24, 2017, as Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day.
“I call upon all Government officials to display the flag of the United States over Government buildings on this special day,” the proclamation states. “I also encourage the American people to display the flag and hold appropriate ceremonies as a public expression of our Nation’s gratitude and respect for our Gold Star Mothers and Families.”
Read the full proclamation here.
A cynic might say that Trump issued this proclamation expecting players in the National Football League (NFL) would kneel during the national anthem in response to Trump’s Saturday comments, when the President said team managers should fire any player that protests the “Star Spangled Banner.”
Kneeling during the anthem on Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, of course, makes the protests that much more disrespectful to the soldiers who sacrificed themselves to protect that flag. Trump, however, does seem to have a genuine love and respect for the nation’s soldiers and may have issued the proclamation regardless of the circumstances.
In any case, all the Gold Star families deserve our love and support, so today we should all stand with them and honor the brave men and women who died to keep our nation free.