Sens. Scott, Wicker, colleagues honor Gold Star Children’s Day

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), and numerous colleagues in celebrating the passage of a Senate resolution designating Aug. 1, 2026, as Gold Star Children’s Day, which recognizes the children of fallen service members. “Gold Star children bear the unimaginable weight of losing their father or mother in service to our nation. They suffer a loss so few can comprehend, but their bravery and strength should give us all hope and fill our hearts with gratitude,” said Sen. Scott. “With this resolution, we honor all of the children who have lost so much for our freedoms. We will never forget our brave men and women in uniform, and we will never forget the sacrifices made by their children.” “The sons and daughters of our fallen service members carry on the legacies of their parents. We set aside this day to honor them and to remember the sacrifices of their mothers and fathers,” said Sen. Wicker. “Gold Star children grow up carrying the weight of losing of a parent who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country,” said Sen. Kelly. “These kids deserve to know that their parents’ service will never be forgotten and that this country will always stand behind them.” America’s Gold Star tradition began in World War I. When a service member deployed, his or her family would often hang a banner bearing a blue star outside the home. If the loved one died in the line of duty, the family replaced the blue star with a gold one. These families came to be known as Gold Star Families. In the wars of the 20th and 21st centuries, nearly 625,000 Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice and have been survived by nearly 15,000 children. Senators recognize August 1 specifically to honor these Gold Star Children. U.S. Sens. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), John Ossoff (D-Ga.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) joined in introducing the resolution. ###