WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., a member of the Senate Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs Committees, introduced a resolution that would designate August 1, 2023, as Gold Star Children’s Day to recognize the sacrifices of the children of fallen service members. To date, there has been no nationally-recognized holiday to honor Gold Star Children.

“The children of our nation’s fallen patriots make a sacrifice that is difficult to comprehend,” Wicker said. “These sons and daughters are heroes in their own right, and the least we can do is recognize their service. This resolution is a small token of our nation’s appreciation and respect.”

“No child should ever have to grow up without a parent, and I cannot imagine the pain of losing any loved one in the line of duty. West Virginians and Americans are forever grateful to the brave patriots and their families who have sacrificed so much for the country we all love. I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan resolution to designate August 1st, 2023 as Gold Star Children’s Day to honor their dedication and sacrifice to our nation. I extend my deepest condolences and sincere gratitude to every Gold Star family and child,” Manchin said.

Read the full text of the resolution here or below:

Whereas the recognition of Gold Star Families in the United States dates back to World War I, when the families of fallen service members displayed a service flag with a gold star in the window of their homes;

Whereas, in 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law legislation declaring Gold Star Mother’s Day, a national observance honoring the mothers of fallen service members annually on the last Sunday of September;

Whereas, since 2010, the Senate has honored Gold Star Spouses by resolution annually, recognizing the unique sacrifices made by spouses of fallen service members;

Whereas thousands of sons and daughters of military families have lost mothers or fathers who served in the Armed Forces and also deserve national recognition for the burden and legacy they carry; and

Whereas no date has existed to specifically recognize the children of fallen service members of the United States as part of a national debt of gratitude that the people of the United States owe to the service members who sacrificed all in protecting the freedom of the United States and the people of the United States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) designates August 1, 2023, as ‘‘Gold Star Children’s Day’’;

(2) honors the sacrifices and hardships of the children of fallen service members; and

(3) encourages the people of the United States to observe Gold Star Children’s Day in support of children of the fallen men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States.