K 776: Recognizing September 28, 2025, as Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day, and honoring the sacrifices of the Gold Star family members from the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 776 BY: M. of A. Stern RECOGNIZING September 28, 2025, as Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day, and honoring the sacrifices of the Gold Star family members from the State of New York WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Forces from the State of New York, who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize September 28, 2025, as Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day, and to honor the sacrifices of the Gold Star family members from the State of New York; and WHEREAS, A Gold Star Family is the immediate family of fallen service members who died while serving in a time of conflict; and WHEREAS, The Gold Star first made an appearance during World War I after being placed over a service flag's blue star when a service member was killed in combat; the Gold Star honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and signifies the family's pride in the loved one's sacrifice rather than the mourning period of their personal loss; and WHEREAS, A Gold Star Family can display a Gold Star Service flag for service members who were killed or died while serving in the Armed Forces; and WHEREAS, In addition, many Gold Star families wear the Gold Star lapel pin issued by the United States Department of Defense, to signify their pride; these pins, worn by spouses, parents, and children, display a Gold Star with a purple background surrounded by a gold wreath; and WHEREAS, The Gold Star Mother's Family Memorial was created by Medal of Honor recipient "Woody" Williams to remember those families who have made the ultimate sacrifice; and WHEREAS, The State of New York is home to four of these respected memorials located in Albany, Elmira, Rochester, and Romulus; the Albany Memorial, across from the New York State Capitol, was dedicated on April 29, 2017; the Rochester Memorial, adjacent to the All Seasons Chapel, was dedicated on June 10, 2016; the Romulus Memorial, found at the Sampson Veterans Cemetery, now known as the NY State Veterans Cemetery-Finger Lakes, was dedicated on October 14, 2017; and the Elmira Memorial was dedicated on May 29, 2022, and is located at Pulaski Park; and WHEREAS, The Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day is the last Sunday in September each year; on June 23, 1936, a joint congressional resolution designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother's Day and has been proclaimed by each President since then; in 2011, President Barack Obama amended the day to "Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day"; and WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing in action; and WHEREAS, The strength of the United States Military is its service members; the strength of its service members is their families, and no one has given more for the nation than the families of the fallen; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to recognize September 28, 2025, as Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day, and to honor the sacrifices by the Gold Star family members from the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Gold Star family members of the State of New York.