Washington, D.C.-Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) along with Senators Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), Martha McSally (R-Arizona), and Doug Jones (D-Alabama) last week introduced a resolution expressing support for the designation of March 2, 2019 as "Gold Star Families Remembrance Day." Gold Star Families are those who have lost a family member in combat. Currently the United States observes Gold Star Mother's Day and Gold Star Spouses Day. Congressman Bob Latta (R-Ohio) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives last month.

"America will always honor servicemembers who fall defending our flag. That means honoring families who carry on their memory, and the sorrowful burden of life after the death of a loved one. It has been 90 years since President Coolidge approved a pilgrimage so Gold Star families could visit the resting places of their loved ones. We can continue that legacy today by designating March 2, 2019 as Gold Star Families Remembrance Day, to be observed by all Americans in recognition of those who sacrificed greatly for our sake," said Cotton.

"America remains the greatest country on earth because of the patriotism of our fallen service members and their families. These individuals have paid the ultimate price so that we can enjoy the freedoms of this great country. I cannot imagine the pain that losing a loved one in the line of duty causes, my heart truly goes out to them. To honor these gold star families, I am a proud to help introduce this resolution so that on March 2nd, every American can take time to pray and reflect on the sacrifice of Gold star families," said Manchin.

"Gold Star Families' sacrificed deeply for our country and freedoms. Their pain and loss is real every single day with the absence of their loved ones who paid the ultimate price in service. The sacrifice of our Gold Star Families should be honored and remembered by us all," said McSally.

"It is important to remember that it's not just the men and women in our armed forces who make sacrifices in the defense of our nation - it's also their families. They support them while on deployments and during difficult training cycles, and sometimes must bear the unimaginable heartbreak of losing them in the line of duty. It is appropriate that we should set aside a day to honor them and to express our gratitude, and I am proud to join Senators Cotton, Manchin, and McSally in sponsoring this bill," said Jones.


The resolution is supported by the following Veterans Service Organizations:

  • Gold Star Wives of America Inc.
  • American Gold Star Mothers Inc.
  • Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)
  • MOAA
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America 
  • Wounded Warrior Project
  • Jewish War Veterans of the USA
  • American GI Forum of the United States
  • Blinded Veterans Association
  • American Red Cross
  • The Retired Enlisted Association