Open letter to gwb from Gold Star mom

[unhappycamper]

received via email


September 30, 2007

To the Honorable President George W. Bush:

The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 115 of June 23, 1936, has designated the last Sunday in September as "Gold Star Mother's Day" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in its observance.

This is stated on the back of the medal given to me due to Alex being killed during combat.

In 1994, President Bill Clinton proclaimed that we should "honor women whose sons and daughters have pledged their lives to securing for all Americans the blessings of liberty. These mothers have made tremendous sacrifices, the most painful being the loss of their children, and deserve the respect and recognition of the nation."

Why do we not honor the fathers and siblings as well? I am but a stepmother, yet due to my gender and not my blood, I am given this honor. I had to request the medals for both my husband and son because they were never considered to be honorable enough.

My husband and stepson Brian continue bereft and much more impacted than the females of my family. As a gender, feelings stew inside of you all causing deep harm either to yourselves or by directing agression outward (i.e. by starting meaningless and purposeless wars).

In 2007, George W. Bush proclaimed "The gift of liberty is secured by heroes who have answered the call to serve when America needed them most. On Gold Star Mother's Day, we honor the mothers of the service men and women who have given their lives in the defense of our great Nation.

President Bush, you goad all Mothers with this supplemental day of honor. This day has been given to us due to having our sons killed during combat. I feel no joy at this recollection. I feel no honor in knowing that this nation thrives on wars to move the wheels of its economy, where young men and women are seduced by honor to spill blood.

The President continues his proclamation stating, "America's Gold Star Mothers are remarkable patriots who serve their communities by demonstrating good citizenship, providing support and services to our troops and veterans, and helping comfort the families whose loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice. Their sense of duty and deep devotion to our country inspire our Nation, and we thank them for their compassion, determination, and strength. Though they carry a great burden of grief, these courageous mothers help ensure that the legacy of our fallen heroes will be forever remembered. On this day, we offer our deep gratitude and respect to our Nation's Gold Star Mothers; we honor the sons and daughters who died while wearing the uniform of the United States; and we pray for God's blessings on them, their mothers, and their families."

For your information, I pray for the day not just for the occupation of Iraq to end, I pray for the day when no more of these pins are ever needed again. I pray for an end to this oddly named and misunderstood club of females: Gold Star Mothers. I hope that these misanthropic Gold Star Mothers soon go into extinction due to an end to war. The grief is not golden. The pain at knowing that another Gold Star Mother comes into being every half day or so is heartbreaking and maddening.

President Bush, I am a Gold Star Stepmother for peace. The DoD gave me the little gold star pin with the purple border too. Yet, those in defense of justice, peace and the constitution are constantly called traitors. Which is it President Bush? Am I a patriot or not? This Catholic Sunday school teacher, this volunteer for the Veteran's Administration, this community activist, and stepmother who believes you have committed impeachable offenses wants to know.

Sincerely, I urge justice and peace for all,
Melida Sharon Arredondo