American Gold Star Mothers

American Gold Star Mothers is a remembrance and service organization for mothers of military personnel who have died in the line of duty. Members of the organization offer emotional support to each other as well as services to care for veterans who are receiving treatment in government hospitals. The organization was founded in 1928 by Grace Darling Siebold, whose son died in 1918 during World War I. The organization was named for the memorial flag that families hung in the front window of their homes to commemorate the deceased veteran. Membership is open to all mothers whose children served and died in the line of duty. Mothers who join must support the goals of the organization, which include allegiance to the United States, service to the State and the Nation, and the promotion of peace and goodwill nationally and internationally.

The Gold Star Mothers original charter was written to support mothers who hold American citizenship whose sons died during World War I. The charter was revised during World War II and again during the Korean War to allow mothers whose sons died in those wars to join the organization. More recently, Gold Star Mothers again revised their charter to include mothers whose sons or daughters died in the line of duty in any U.S. military operation. Noncitizen mothers, however, were still denied membership. In 2005, Carmen Palmer and Ligaya Lagman, both permanent residents of the United States, became the first noncitizen mothers allowed to join Gold Star Mothers. Earlier in the year, both women applied to join the organization and were refused membership. In early 2005, the organization reviewed the matter and voted to maintain the citizenship requirement. This refusal led to a national outcry and Gold Star Mothers revised their charter in June 2005 to allow mothers who are legal residents of the United States to join the organization.

Although the organization is nominally apolitical, its focus has been supportive of most military endeavors. The organization often works with military service organizations to ensure that active duty military personnel and veterans are recognized for their [Page 92]service and sacrifices. In addition, Gold Star Mothers chapters operate on military bases to support grieving families. Its 2000 individual members volunteer in communities nationwide to assist veterans and their dependents with claims made to the Veterans Administration, and individuals and chapters work with various organizations to inspire patriotism. Traditionally, Gold Star Mothers have distanced themselves from anti-war activities, but in 1971, Gold Star Mothers led a 5-day anti-war protest in Washington, D.C., sponsored by Vietnam Veterans Against the War. Because Gold Star Mothers is traditionally apolitical, in response, Gold Star Families for Peace was chartered in 2005 to represent families of deceased service members who oppose U.S. military involvement overseas.