Duckworth, Wicker, Kelly and Colleagues Honor Gold Star Children’s Day

July 30, 2026 Duckworth, Wicker, Kelly and Colleagues Honor Gold Star Children’s Day [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), along with numerous colleagues, in celebrating the passage of a Senate resolution designating August 1, 2026, as Gold Star Children’s Day, which recognizes the children of fallen service members. “This resolution honors Gold Star children for the tremendous sacrifices they make for our nation and the loss they will carry with them forever,” said Senator Duckworth . “Our nation owes a debt to the thousands of sons and daughters who don’t ask for their parents to serve in uniform but support their moms and dads nonetheless so they can protect the freedoms we cherish.” “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 Senator 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 Senator 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. In addition to Duckworth, Wicker and Kelly, this resolution was also introduced by U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Susan Collins (R-ME), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jim Justice (R-WV), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Marshall (R-KA), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA). -30- Print Tweet Next Article Previous Article