Angry in the Great White North

Apparently, there is a venerable charitable organization called the Gold Star Mothers, very different from the Gold Star Families for Peace that Cindy Sheehan created for her crusade:

The membership of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is composed of American Mothers who lost a son or daughter during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Beirut, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Bosnia, Saudi Arabia, all Strategic Areas, or while in service to our country.

The organization was founded nationally shortly after the First World War by Mrs. Grace Darling Seibold, Washington, DC, for the purpose of perpetuating the ideals of Americanism for which their children had so gallantly fought and died.

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. a federally-chartered organization, is a member of the National Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service Advisory Committee. The 150 chapters of Gold Star Mothers throughout the United States give many hours of work and personal service in hospitals for the veterans, and to the veteran and his family. The organization works closely with and is respected by all veterans organizations. The American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., a non-profit, patriotic organization, receives funds from dues and donations only.

Our Legacy:
Out of Tragedy We Were Formed
Out of Love We Continue...

Grace Darling Seibold's son George was killed flying for the British Royal Flying Corps, 148th Aero Squadron after training in Canada (the United States having not yet entered the war).

Grace, realizing that self-contained grief is self-destructive, devoted her time and efforts to not only working in the hospital but extending the hand of friendship to other mothers whose sons had lost their lives in military service.

She organized a group consisting solely of these special mothers, with the purpose of not only comforting each other, but giving loving care to hospitalized veterans confined in government hospitals far from home.

The organization was named after the Gold Star that families hung in their windows in honor of the deceased veteran.

That symbol has been stolen by Sheehan's organization:

The service flag (also known as "blue star banners" or "son in service flags") was designed and patented by World War I Army Captain Robert L. Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry who had two sons serving on the front line. The flag quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in service. President Wilson became part of its history when in 1918 he approved a suggestion made by the Women's Committee of the Council of National Defenses that mothers who had lost a child serving in the war to wear a gold gilt star on the traditional black mourning arm band. This led to the tradition to cover the blue star with a gold star on the Service flag to indicate that the service member has died or been killed.

Gold Star Families for Peace has been created to give a voice to families who have experienced the ultimate sacrifice in wartime. Our organization welcomes all family members of our Fallen Heros.

Um, there is already an organization for that, already using the Gold Star, having been around for near ninety years.

Worse than that, whereas the Gold Star Mothers is dedicated to comfort and support and honoring sacrifice, Gold Star Families for Peace is not above inflicting pain:

1) We want our loved ones sacrifices to be honored by bringing our nation's sons and daughters home from the travesty that is Iraq IMMEDIATELY, since this war is based on horrendous lies and deceptions. Just because our children are dead, why would we want any more families to suffer the same pain and devastation that we are.

2) We would like for him to explain this "noble cause" to us and ask him why Jenna and Barbara are not in harm's way, if the cause is so noble. [emphasis added]

3) If George is not ready to send the twins, then he should bring our troops home immediately. We will demand a speedy withdrawal. [emphasis added]

Personally, I find it remarkable that the way the GSFP has usurped the Gold Star symbol has been tolerated. They should use a different symbol, perhaps a sharpened stake. From Aljazeera:

"We're watching you very carefully and we're going to do everything in our power to have you impeached for misleading the American people," [Cindy Sheehan] said, quoting a letter she sent to the White House. "Beating a political stake in your black heart will be the fulfillment of my life...," she said, as the audience of 200 people cheered.

Hardly "perpetuating the ideals of Americanism for which their children had so gallantly fought and died", for which Casey Sheehan volunteered to fight for.