ATLANTA – State Representative Rhonda Burnough (D-Riverdale) encourages families across the state to participate in a moment of silence in honor of Georgia’s Gold Star Fathers on Friday, November 9, 2020, at 11 a.m.
“For the past three years, we have gathered with pride at the Georgia State Capitol to publicly remember and honor the sacrifices of loved ones, who worked towards a common goal in defense of democracy and our collective freedoms,” said Rep. Burnough. “This year, due to COVID-19, we will not be able to gather at the Capitol. However, we still want to honor these loved ones’ sacrifice for our freedoms. I thank our veterans for continuing to trust us with the opportunity to respectfully acknowledge your sacrifice. May God bless you and your families, God bless our troops, and God bless the United States of America.”
In lieu of holding an annual ceremony at the State Capitol, Rep. Burnough encourages families to share their loved one’s story of courage and bravery and participate in the moment of silence with other Georgia Gold Star Fathers on November 9, 2020. Additionally, the Gold Star Fathers’ Facebook page will feature photos and story submissions; families who are interested in participating may send a loved one’s photo and brief statement to rhonda.burnough@house.ga.gov.
Inspired by the national Gold Star Mother’s Day, the first Gold Star Father recognition event in Georgia was held on November 9, 2017, to extend the same recognition to fathers of fallen heroes. During the 2018 legislative session, the Georgia House of Representative unanimous adopted House Resolution 655, which was sponsored by Rep. Burnough, to recognize “Gold Star Father Day” on November 9 annually in the state. November 9 was selected to coincide with two days that honor military service: U.S. Marine Corps birthday and Veteran’s Day.
Currently, there is not a national observance day for Gold Star Fathers. However, in 2019, U.S. Reps. Hank Johnson and Rob Woodall drafted legislation based on HR 655 to make Gold Star Father Day a national day of remembrance. Rep. Burnough hopes that this resolution will receive bipartisan support and will be signed by the president.
For more information on Georgia’s Gold Star Fathers, please visit the official website here, or visit the official Facebook page here.
For more information on HR 655, please click here.
Representative Rhonda Burnough represents the citizens of District 77, which includes portions of Clayton County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves on the Economic Development & Tourism, Governmental Affairs, Higher Education and Small Business Development committees.
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