Scott's View: Gold Star Mother’s Day is a Focus on Women & the Military

We hope you enjoy today’s feature article about the induction of retired Brigadier General Rebecca Halstead into the Women’s Hall of Fame. She is the first female graduate of West Point to become a general officer.

While our nation is no longer at war, there are those among us who continue to suffer and endure  the consequences of our wars. Gold Star Mother's Day was observed this past Sunday and honors the mothers of those who perished while serving our nation. There is no adequate way to thank them for their sacrifice, but here is how Abraham Lincoln expressed it in his letter to Mrs. Bixby:

Dear Madam,--

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln

In that spirit, we take this time to remember those we lost and the dear mothers who continue to endure the loss of their son or daughter in service to our country. May God bless you.