‘Salute to Children of Our Fallen’ ceremony at the Capitol

Army Chief of Staff George W. Casey Jr. talks with one of the children honored during the ‘Salute to Children of Our Fallen’, portion of the fourth annual ‘Time of Remembrance’ ceremony held at the U.S. Capitol, Sept. 26, 2009.

The Gold Medal of Remembrance she’s wearing is given to children who have lost a parent in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The ribbon’s colors are significant with purple, representing the wounded heart of the child who has endured the loss of a parent; black, symbolizing remembrance; and the colors red, white, and blue, representing the United States. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson; OCPA)

Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. shakes the hand of one of the children honored during the ‘Salute to Children of Our Fallen’ during the fourth annual ‘Time of Remembrance’ honoring America’s fallen in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The ceremony is sponsored by the White House Commission on Remembrance established by Congress. It was held at the west lawn of the U.S. Captiol, Sept. 26, 2009.

The Gold Medals of Remembrance adorning each child’s neck have this inscription etched in back, “IN REMEMBRANCE OF YOUR FAMILY’S SACRIFICE FOR OUR COUNTRY”–a gold star on its front dates back to World War I when the family of a service member killed in action would display a banner with a gold star on it in the front window of their home. The golden flame within the star is the official emblem of the White House Commission on Remembrance. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Margaret C. Nelson, OCPA)

Please remember our Gold Star families this weekend.

From ArmyLive.