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

Today, Senator and Navy combat veteran Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), along with 21 of their Senate colleagues, celebrated the passage of a Senate resolution designating August 1, 2026, as Gold Star Children's Day, which recognizes the children of fallen service members.

In January, Kelly introduced bipartisan legislation to increase job support for Gold Star spouses. Last year, he introduced a bipartisan resolution designating April 5 as Gold Star Wives Day, both of which unanimously passed the Senate.

"Gold Star children grow up carrying the weight of losing a parent who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country," said Kelly. "These kids deserve to know that their parents' service will never be forgotten and that this country will always stand behind them."

"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 Wicker.

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 Kelly and Wicker, Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Susan Collins (R-ME), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), 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-KS), 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) joined the resolution.

"Gold Star families have made an immense sacrifice for our nation, none more so than the children of our fallen service members," said Blunt Rochester. "Thousands of children have lost a parent to military service. Designating today as Gold Star Children's Day acts both a day of remembrance for the service members who lost their lives, but also to their children who have endured the hardship of losing a parent."

"The heroism of our fallen soldiers and the sacrifices of their families must not be forgotten. Gold Star children should not bear this burden alone," said Collins. "I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this resolution to recognize and honor the sons and daughters of the brave service members who paid the ultimate price for our freedom."

"Our nation is forever in debt to the Gold Star children who have sacrificed so we may experience the blessings of freedom our founders promised 250 years ago," said Coons. "To the children we are honoring today, know you are seen and honored in Washington. We owe it to you to support you as you find your paths forward. This resolution is one small gesture - part of our larger work to make sure you have all you need."

"When we honor the brave men and women who lay down their lives defending America's freedoms, we must never forget the parents, spouses, and children they leave behind," said Cortez Masto. "These loved ones have also made an enormous sacrifice for our country that cannot go unrecognized. It is with gratitude and humility that I honor the children of our fallen service members, today and every day."

"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 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."

"We owe our Gold Star families everything and must never forget the kids or what they've endured," said Fetterman. "Gold Star Children's Day will honor all the daughters and sons, and their resiliency through the loss of those in uniform they loved. It's a solemn day that will continue to remind us all that freedom is never free."

"As a Marine, I am honored to join my colleagues in designating August 1, 2026, as Gold Star Children's Day. After I lost close friends in Iraq, I came home and watched their kids hit life milestones-graduating from high school, getting married-without their mom or dad by their side. As I've watched them grow up, their resilience and perseverance have inspired me every day to do my best serving my country and to make sure veterans and their families get the support they have more than earned," said Gallego.

"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 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."

"More than 1,000 West Virginians paid the ultimate sacrifice in World War I, and we should never, ever forget what they did for all of us. Those brave men and women stood up for freedom, not just here at home, but around the world, and because of them, America remains the greatest nation on Earth. I'm proud to join my colleagues in honoring the families of these true American heroes, whose courage, patriotism, and love of country continue to inspire us every day," said Justice.

"When a servicemember lays down their life in service to our nation, the loss is carried for a lifetime by the loved ones they leave behind-especially their children," said Kaine. "That's why I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan resolution to honor the immense sacrifices made by these children, and raise awareness about the responsibility all of us have to ensure they receive the best possible support."

"Let's use Gold Star Children's Day to honor the immense sacrifice and resilience of the children of our fallen heroes. We can never forget what they and their loved ones lost in service to our nation," said Kim.

"When a service member makes the ultimate sacrifice, that sacrifice is never theirs alone. It is carried by their spouse, their parents, their brothers and sisters, and especially the children who grow up without a mom or dad because they gave everything for our nation," said Marshall. "Gold Star children live every day with the cost of freedom, and their families have paid a price few of us can truly understand. On Gold Star Children's Day, we honor these remarkable children, remember the heroes they lost, and reaffirm that as Americans, we owe them and their families a debt of gratitude that can never fully be repaid."

"On Gold Star Children's Day, we honor the sons and daughters of our nation's fallen heroes. These children carry a lifelong reminder of the cost of freedom, and their families have made sacrifices that can never be fully repaid. As we remember the service members who gave their lives in defense of our country, we also recommit ourselves to supporting the Gold Star families they left behind and ensuring their sacrifice is never forgotten," said Moody.

"The children who lose a parent in military service to our nation live with a sacrifice they carry for a lifetime," said Rosen. "I am proud to join colleagues from both sides of the aisle to designate August 1st as Gold Star Children's Day to honor them and recognize their sacrifice when they lose a parent. I will continue fighting for our servicemembers and their families."

Rick Scott said, "Gold Star families know more than anyone that freedom is not free, because they've paid the price for it. And children who grow up without a father or mother bear the greatest burden of all. America has enemies across the world that want to destroy our way of life, and our country is worth defending. As a Navy veteran, I'm grateful for every American who answers the call to serve, and my heart goes out to the families whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice. That's why I am proud to once again join my colleagues in honoring Gold Star children across our country."

"Gold Star children bear the unimaginable weight of losing their father or mother in service to our nation. They suffer a loss so few can comprehend, but their bravery and strength should give us all hope and fill our hearts with gratitude," said Tim Scott. "With this resolution, we honor all of the children who have lost so much for our freedoms. We will never forget our brave men and women in uniform, and we will never forget the sacrifices made by their children."

"This country owes everything to our Gold Star heroes and their families," said Tuberville. "It isn't just our brave soldiers who make tremendous sacrifices when they sign up to protect our country, but their entire families. This is especially true for the children of men and women who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Please join me in praying and looking for ways to care for the children of Gold Star heroes today and every day."

"Our nation will and can never forget the ultimate sacrifice of our brave servicemembers. We will forever be indebted to them. It's equally important to recognize and support their families, who are the best among us," said Reverend Warnock. "I am proud to recognize the bipartisan Gold Star Child Day and honor the families of the servicemembers who have sacrificed everything to keep us safe. As long as I serve all Georgians in the U.S. Senate, I will be a champion for our servicemembers, veterans, and Gold Star families."