Hoeven: Senate Passes Resolution Designating August 1 as Gold Star Children’s Day

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven joined Senators Roger Wicker, (R-Miss.) and Mark Kelly, (D-Ariz.) in marking the passage of a Senate resolution they introduced designating August 1, 2026, as Gold Star Children’s Day, which recognizes the children of fallen service members. 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. “Gold Star Children have endured an unimaginable loss, and their strength is a testament to the courage and sacrifice of the parents they lost in service to our country,” said Senator Hoeven. “The Senate’s passage of this resolution ensures we recognize their resilience, honor the sacrifice of our fallen heroes, and express enduring gratitude to these families.” In addition to Hoeven, Wicker and Kelly, the resolution is cosponsored by Senators 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.), 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.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). -###-