Museum Matters

The Gold Star Mothers of Dublin were honored at a special banquet at the American Legion Hall on May 24, 1948. Each of the mothers were given red, white and blue corsages. Congressman Sam Russell made the principal address to the Legion saying “These Gold Star Mothers gave so much and we can say so little.”

The Gold Star Mothers organization honored mothers whose sons or daughters were killed while serving in the armed forces. It was customary to hang a banner in the windows of homes with a star for each service member. A blue star indicated those who were currently serving. A blue star was replaced with a gold star when a family member lost their life in combat.

Russell continued his speech, “We have our Gold Star Mothers whose boys gave their full share of devotion for our country that we might be free. These are only a small part of the thousands that also gave so much. World Wars I and II are over, but they will never be over in our minds until we are gone. This is our price that we are paying that we might be free.” (The Dublin Progress, May 28, 1948) The Gold Star Mothers in Dublin included, Mrs H.F. (Lucy) McKinney, Mrs Charles Davidson, Mrs. H. R. (Onice) Grauke, Mrs. Jim (Martha) Humphries, Mrs. Ruby (Mary) Brown, Mrs. Tom (Josephine) White, Mrs. W. P. (Addie) Barnett, Mrs. Hassel Whitefield, Mrs. W. D. (Liza) Newsome, Mrs. Joe (Georgia) McCleskey, Mrs. A. W. (Lela) Shoup.

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is a private organization that honors those who have lost loved ones in combat. It was formed in 1928 by Grace Darling Seibold of Washington D. C. who lost a son in World War I. It has continued ever since, honoring those who have lost family members while serving in the armed forces. The Gold Star Mothers organization recognizes those lost regardless of the circumstances of death whether in hostile conflict or those missing in action. (Wikipedia, American Gold Star Mothers) Visit us at dublinhistorical. org