This Presidential Proclamation, issued by Donald J. Trump, officially designates Sunday, September 28, 2025, as Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day.
The President honors the supreme sacrifice made by service members who died defending the nation's ideals and expresses gratitude and unwavering support to their bereaved families.
The action calls upon government officials and the American people to display the U.S. flag and hold appropriate ceremonies to express national gratitude and respect.
Arguments For
Honoring the profound sacrifice made by service members and recognizing the enduring grief and strength of their Gold Star Families.
Fulfilling a tradition established by Congress to formally acknowledge these families and ensuring their loved ones' sacrifice is never forgotten.
Demonstrating the current administration's commitment to supporting Gold Star Families and contrasting with perceived failures of a previous administration regarding accountability and compassion.
Arguments Against
The proclamation uses the occasion to inject political commentary criticizing the previous administration's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, diverting focus from the commemorative purpose.
Designating a specific date (September 28, 2025) might overshadow ongoing, year-round support mechanisms for Gold Star Families.
The proclamation's focus on a specific recent event (Afghanistan withdrawal) could be seen as politicizing a moment intended for unified, non-partisan remembrance.
Presidential Actions
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Since the dawn of our Republic, millions of brave men and women have answered the call of liberty to preserve peace, uphold our sovereignty, and defend the sacred ideals that have defined our Nation for nearly 250 years. Countless souls have perished in this noble pursuit — their supreme sacrifice borne by surviving families with profound sorrow, remarkable strength, and inspiring dignity. This Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, we remember and honor the loved ones of those patriots who paid the highest price for our birthright of freedom.
The supreme sacrifice of our fallen heroes is neither solitary nor finite. Instead, it is shared by bereaved families who bury the fallen and wage an unending battle of unfathomable heartache that is not erased by the passage of time. Gold Star Families know better than anyone the tremendous cost of our freedom, paid for by the blood of their beloved husbands, wives, sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers who forfeited their hopes and dreams so that others may live with peace, safety, and liberty in the greatest country on the face of the Earth. We are eternally grateful for their heroic sacrifice.
Last month, I was proud to meet with the Gold Star Families of the 13 service members who lost their lives in the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Four years later, these families carry a burden of grief that is compounded by the absence of accountability and compassion from the previous administration. As Commander in Chief, I will never betray our warfighters or turn my back on their families. They deserve our enduring support and respect and an aggressive policy of peace through strength so that fewer families are shattered on the field of battle.
As we observe Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, the First Lady and I extend our steadfast love and unwavering devotion to those who bear the unbearable with grace and resilience. May you find comfort in knowing the sacrifice of your hero will never be forgotten.
The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 115 of June 23, 1936 (49 Stat. 1895 as amended), has designated the last Sunday in September as “Gold Star Mother’s Day.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Sunday, September 28, 2025, as Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day. I call upon all Government officials to display the flag of the United States over Government buildings, and I encourage the American people to display the flag and hold appropriate ceremonies as an expression of our Nation’s gratitude and respect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-fifth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
The post Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, 2025 appeared first on The White House.
The initial part of the document structures the publication, identifying it explicitly as a Presidential Action and presenting website navigation elements, including a search bar and category selection menu, with 'All Presidential Actions' currently selected.
Following the navigation structure, the text clearly states that the following content is issued BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and is formally titled "A PROCLAMATION."
This proclamation begins by recognizing the history of American service members answering the call of liberty and notes the supreme sacrifices made by those who perished, emphasizing that these losses are shared by surviving families who face profound sorrow with strength.
The document acknowledges that the sacrifice of fallen heroes is shared by Gold Star Families, detailing the continuous, unfathomable heartache they endure due to the loss of their loved ones, who gave up their futures for the nation's freedom.
The Proclamation references a specific recent event where the President met Gold Star Families affected by the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, contrasting the current administration's support with what is perceived as a lack of accountability and compassion from the previous administration.
The President vows to support service members and their families through a policy of peace through strength.
In closing remarks, the President and the First Lady extend love and devotion to Gold Star Families, offering comfort that the sacrifice of their heroes will be remembered.
The document cites the Congressional basis for the designation—Senate Joint Resolution 115 of June 23, 1936—which established the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother's Day.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Sunday, September 28, 2025, as Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day. I call upon all Government officials to display the flag of the United States over Government buildings, and I encourage the American people to display the flag and hold appropriate ceremonies as an expression of our Nation’s gratitude and respect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-fifth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
The post Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, 2025 appeared first on The White House.
Exercising constitutional and statutory authority, the President formally proclaims Sunday, September 28, 2025, as Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day.
This proclamation directs all government officials to fly the U.S. flag over government buildings in observance.
The President also strongly encourages citizens to display the flag and conduct appropriate ceremonies to demonstrate the nation's appreciation and respect for these families.
Finally, the document concludes with the formal witnessing clause, stating the date of execution as September 25, 2025, and the signature of Donald J. Trump.