At the annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11, 2012, the West Seneca Veterans Committee honored all Gold Star Mothers and their families with the unveiling of a bronze plaque dedicated to those mothers and families who lost a child in the service of their country.

The plaque reads:

Gold Star Mothers
Honoring the Mothers of America who lost sons or daughters in the line of duty


May the Gold Star Mothers of yesterday and today
know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten
Thank you for your service and true patriotism

Standing L-R: Post Champlain Ken Herkey, Supervisor Sheila Meegan, Committee Chairman Jim Manley Sitting: Gold Star Mothers Betty Jackowiak and Dorthy Meyer		Erie County Legislator Joe Lorigo and Post Commander Ron Puckett with Gold Star Mothers Dorothy Meyer, Betty Jackowiak and Holly Baker

Often the question has been asked, “Who is a Gold Star Mother?” During the early days of World War I, a Blue Star was used to represent each person, man or woman in the Military Service of the United States. As the war progressed and men were killed in combat, others wounded and died of their wounds or disease, there came about the accepted usage of the Gold Star.

This Gold Star was substituted and superimposed upon the Blue Star in such a manner as to entirely cover it. The idea of the Gold Star was to honor the person for his supreme sacrifice made to his country.

Thus, the Gold Star and the term Gold Star Mother, was applied to mothers whose sons died in World War I and that term continues to be used in reference to all American military engagements since that time.

We are proud that this plaque becomes a permanent part of the West Seneca Veterans Memorial Park and the Walkway of Freedom.

Gold Star Mothers Dorthy Meyer, Holly Baker and Betty Jackowiak		Plaque honoring all Gold Star Mothers and their families.