Kowabunga

The Gold Star. What is it? What does it signify? To most, it is a symbol that a mother has lost a son or daughter in the service of our country. It dates back to the First World War, and was used to superimpose over the blue star of an active serviceman (or woman) in the family who died as a result of combat. It has been around a long time, and a number of service organizations, most notably Gold Star Mothers, have been around since 1928.

Now there is a new Gold Star organization, and unlike the others, it is steeped in anti-American political rhetoric, and it is truly a sad sight (and site) to see. This new organization, instead of joining hands with other gold Star organizations, who reach out to grieving families and help comfort those who have lost sons and daughters, spews for line after line of hate filled dogma, evening referring to the 21-gun salute and other military honors given at military funerals as being violent and thoughtless.

FoxNews has an excellent piece on this issue, and opens as follows:

The gold star elicits respect, sympathy and compassion, and so two groups — American Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star Families for Peace — have adopted the image in their names. But one group declares a political position, which has created some confusion about exactly what "gold star" stands for.

Where one organization, American Gold Star Mothers, is rich in history and honor, dignified in their demeanor, the other, Gold Star Families for Peace, is nothing more than another mouth-piece for people with an axe to grind, mainly Cindy Sheehan, and others like her.

The Gold Star Mothers is non-political, who whole-heartedly support our troops, and wish, like all Americans, for their safe return from the battlefield. They hold events throughout the day and work towards preserving the memory of those who have given their lives in the service of our country.

As a former member of the military, and (now) a father who may one day have children serve in the Armed Forces (and I hope they so choose), I resent the usurpation of the Gold Star symbol by Cindy Sheehan and others like her, as it degrades and taints this fine symbol that is so deeply steeped in honor and rich in history and tradition.