THE TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS (TAPS) CELEBRATES GOLD STAR CHILDREN'S DAY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 29, 2022
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is pleased to recognize Gold Star Children’s Day on August 1, 2022. Gold Star Children’s Day recognizes the sacrifices of our nation’s grieving military children–the children of fallen service members. For nearly three decades, TAPS has been a leader in providing hope, healing, and resources to all those grieving the death of a military loved one, including thousands of surviving children.
The resolution was first introduced in 2021 and authored by U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.
“Gold Star children honor their courageous parents every day, and so it is only fitting that lawmakers do what we can to honor them,” Wicker said. “We all owe Gold Star children a national debt of gratitude we can only hope to repay, and I am humbled to be a part of that annual effort.”
TAPS fully supports this resolution and is honored to stand alongside many military and veteran support organizations who endorsed it again this year.
"The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is grateful to the Senate and House co-sponsors who supported the 'Gold Star Children's Day’ resolution. TAPS looks forward to celebrating all surviving military children and honoring them as the living legacies of American service and sacrifice," said Bonnie Carroll, President and Founder of TAPS.
Read the full text of the resolution 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 in the window of their homes with a gold star;
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 on April 5, 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 bur- den 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
1 Resolved, That the Senate—
2 (1) designates August 1, 2021, as ‘‘Gold Star
3 Children’s Day’’;
4 (2) honors the sacrifices and hardships of the
5 children of fallen service members; and
6 (3) encourages the people of the United States
7 to observe Gold Star Children’s Day in support of
8 children of the fallen men and women of the Armed
9 Forces of the United States.
To request an interview with TAPS Founder and President Bonnie Carroll, a surviving family member, or TAPS representative, please email media@taps.org or call 202.588.8277 to speak with someone in TAPS Communications directly.
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ABOUT TAPS
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the leading national organization providing compassionate care and survivor support services for the families of America’s fallen military heroes. Since 1994, TAPS has offered support to all those grieving the death of a military loved one through peer-based emotional support, connections with grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, casework assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and the 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline, all at no cost to surviving families. For more information, please visit TAPS.org or call 202.588.TAPS (8277).