Gold Star Mothers National Monument
Mission Statement

To honor the Mothers whose sons and daughters gave their life in the service of our country. This monument is sponsored by the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. For all mothers who know the grief of losing a child in the service of our country, to promote a bond of kinship, and to engage in support for servicemen, the Veterans community, and others who memorialized our nation's defenders.

Commentary by Andrew L. Chernak, Sculptor/Designer

The loss of a child in any circumstance is a grievous blow to a family, but, uniquely so to the mother who bore that child. One group of Mothers that especially stands apart from the norm are the Mothers of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. They are patriotic, loyal, and sympathetic. They understand our nation’s freedom is not to be taken for granted. The grief and loss these women have endured never leaves them, yet the Mothers rise above their pain in tribute to life going on. The Mothers have collectively served millions of hours in volunteer work, personal service in our nation's Veterans hospitals, and to the Veteran and his family in their community. In serving this way, the Mothers have turned their grief into a positive force. If you want to know quiet greatness, spend a little time in the presence of a Gold Star Mother.

Our Advisory Committee

Judith Young, Chairman, GSM Monument Fund
Mary Jane Kiepe, President, AGSM
Barbara L. Calfee, Treasurer, AGSM
Robert W. Doubek, Senior Consultant
Edward Chow, Jr. Advisory Committee
LTC John T. Dooley (Ret.) Advisory Committee
John Hanberry, Advisory Committee
Ward B. Nickisch, Colonel, (USA Ret.) Advisory Committee
Andrew L. Chernak, Advisory Committee, Sculptor and Designer
Jeffrey White, Research