One of the most sacred symbols associated with the military is the gold star awarded to the mothers of KIA soldiers.
During World War I, American Women who had family members serving their country wore a blue star around their left arm. As this conflict progressed and the number of dead escalated, mothers wanted to express their loss, as well as the pride and honor they felt for their country. A suggestion of sewing a gold star over the blue star was made by The Women’s Committee of the Council of National Defense. This group presented the idea to President Woodrow Wilson and the practice was adopted in 1918.
On June 4, 1928, twenty-five mothers in Washington D. C. banded together to form a non-profit organization designated as the American Gold Star Mothers. This group espoused all religious faiths and political beliefs and by January 5, 1929, they incorporated. Eventually each state would organize their own chapters and affiliate with the members from Washington.
As a member of the Patriot Guard Riders I’ve had the honor to meet a lot of Gold Star mothers — and at each funeral, the local Gold Star mothers present a Gold Star banner to the mother of the dead soldier.
It’s always an overwhelmingly powerful and emotional ceremony.
And body who has ever served in the military fully understands the sacred symbolism of the Gold Star presentations.
Which makes this extremely disgraceful:
The Texas Progressive Alliance with Vince at the helm recently chose to award Rick Noriega and his wife Melissa with “Gold Stars.â€
The term “gold star†should not be thrown around this easily and I am amazed that Noriega who often mentions his military credentials would choose to accept an award that is only given to the family members of fallen soldiers.
Gold Star Family Support.com has this to say:â€Gold Star†is a generic term used to describe a family member who has lost a loved one in military service.
The Texas Progressive Alliance — is there nothing so sacred and respected by the military that the left isn’t willing to disgrace or desecrate? Maybe you could come up with some kind of heart-shaped, purple award for your alliance, too.
Rep. Noriega (who is also a Lt. Colonel in the Army National Guard) — you should know better. You should have politely declined the award, and used the opportunity to educate the Texas Progressive Alliance on what a Gold Star presentation really means.
Wow. My kid’s elementary school teacher gives him gold stars. That commie B1TCH!
I hear she even gives gold stars to kids in military families. And they accept it! Shouldn’t they know better?
I hear the TPA gave out Silver Stars too. I bet that has some military meaning they clearly intended to desecrate as well.
Instead of, you know, meaning it as a general positive reinforcement like the rest of society means it.
This is really stretching things too far. Gold Stars are not exclusively associated with military families and even then many Gold Star families support Noriega with his heroic military service.
Instead of this silly partisan attack why didn’t you write about how Cornyn dishonors the Alamo and all Texans with his remark that “Civil liberties don’t matter if you are dead.”
A Patriotic Texan,
Gary
You’re really reaching with this one Robbie.
I dont get it. What are you complaining about?
That a group of bloggers gave out gold stars to some folks and you think it demeans the Gold Star families?
You are kidding, right? I mean lets get a bit serious. This is a pretty stupid stretch if you ask me.
Only an idiot would confuse the two.
Look, I understand that gold stars are given out to all sorts of people for all sorts of things that are completely unrelated to the Military.
I don’t expect that to change. Nor do I expect people who have never served to truly understand the significance of the Military Gold Stars.
I do expect Rep. Noriega to understand that difference.
When I was 5, I received gold stars too. No big deal. But, again, at this point in my life — I wouldn’t accept any other prize called “The Gold Star” award.
And I have stated my respect for Rep. Noriega several times on this blog:
I was not aware that the star symbol was copyrighted by Robbie’s crusade against our next Senator Rick Noriega! Yay!!!
Well, perhaps that is one of the most thoughtful reasons republicans hoomskul their students. Come on Robbie, are you going to type a response, If so, your homework is: ” To prevent evil, devilish and irreverent commie public school teachers from disgracing the sacred symbolism of the Gold Star presentations.”
I have never heard this one but Robbie, let me ask, Did you took you pill today? Need to take you pills swettie.
Thanks for taking up for Cindy Sheehan. She is a Gold Star mother.
It is refreshing to see right wing republicans finally giving her the respect she deserves.
Arvin Sango, Incorporated to Expand its Madison Facilities…
Arvin Sango Inc. the supplier of parts like Toyota struts to Toyota Manufacturing North America Inc. has recently announced it plan of expanding its Madison, Indiana operations that would result to the creation of some additional 39 jobs….