Information

What is Ridgewood doing?

A group of Ridgewood residents and volunteers from nearby towns recently formed the Ridgewood Gold Star Mother's Day Committee with the purpose of organizing the honoring of Gold Star Mothers and families. A Gold Star mother is a woman whose son or daughter died while serving their nation in times of war or conflict. Gold Star Mother’s Day is a national event, instituted in 1936 by Presidential proclamation, designating the last Sunday in September to honor mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of our country.

The American Legion Post 53 and Ridgewood’s Blue Star Families are spearheading the effort to bring awareness to our community and commemorate the sacrifices these mothers and their families have made. Ridgewood will light luminaries from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 25th at Van Neste Park; all are welcome to stop by and show your support. Residents are encouraged to light luminaries at the end of their driveways away from anything that can catch fire. The goal is to see thousands of luminaries lit throughout Ridgewood to honor Gold Star Mothers on September 25th!

How did Gold Star Mother's Day start?

In the aftermath of World War I, Washington D.C. resident Grace Darling Seibold formed an organization called Gold Star Mothers to support the moms who had lost sons and daughters to the war. Grace's son, First Lieutenant George Vaughn Seibold, was an aviator killed in combat over France in 1918. In 1928, the small D.C.-based group decided to nationalize its efforts. In 1936, a joint congressional resolution established the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother’s Day. The Gold Star Mothers grew from a support group of 60 women to today’s extensive nationwide network with tens of thousands of members and hundreds of local chapters.

How to make donations.

On Sunday, September 25, 2016 our Nation honors our Gold Star Mothers** and families. “As members of a grateful Nation, we owe a debt we can never repay, but hold this sacred obligation forever in our hearts, minds, and actions. We honor their sacrifice, and stand with our service members, military families, and Gold Star families as they have stood for us” (ref. 2011 Presidential Proclamation).

The American Legion Post 53 and Ridgewood, New Jersey’s Blue Star Families will commemorate Gold Star Mother’s Day with an event on Sunday, September 25^th at Van Neste Park, Ridgewood, NJ. We will begin with a short ceremony at 7:00 pm and will light luminaries from 7:00-8:30 pm to honor all Gold Star mothers and their families. We invite you to participate in this day of remembrance. Let us honor our pledge to our Gold Star families and the heroes we have laid to rest: we stand with you and are forever grateful. Let us always remember that the blessings we enjoy as free people in our great country came at a dear cost.

You too can stand with us in honoring our Gold Star Families and help to raise awareness by:

- Talking to your family, friends and neighbors about the event;

- Joining us at Van Neste Park; and

- Supporting this event with a donation (please make checks payable to American Legion Post #53, P.O. Box 1525 Ridgewood, NJ 07450 and write “Gold Star event” on the memo line)