The City of Clarksville is hosting a Gold Star Holiday Tree ceremony to honor the men and women in uniform who have given their lives for our country and the families who carry on their legacies on Sunday, Dec. 5, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at City Hall.
To commemorate America’s greatest heroes, the City has decorated a Christmas tree on the first floor of City Hall with Gold Star ornaments from last year’s ceremony bearing the names of some of our fallen heroes.
First Lady Cynthia Pitts initiated the City’s Gold Star tree tradition in 2019, with the support of Fort Campbell public affairs and the Survivor Outreach Services. During last year’s event, the First Lady and City Mayor Joe Pitts welcomed over 40 Gold Star families who inscribed their family name and personal messages on an ornament and hung it on the holiday tree in honor of their loved ones for the entire holiday period.
“Our country’s military has a very special place in our hearts,” said First Lady Cynthia Pitts. “And so do the ones who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country as well as their families. It is our hope and prayer that with this holiday tree, our Gold Star families know that the City has not forgotten about them and their loved ones.”
This year’s ceremony will replicate the previous event, where Gold Star families will RSVP through a City-provided link no later than midnight on Dec. 1. Upon arrival, the first lady and mayor will welcome the families, followed by opening remarks. During this time, a City escort will provide the families who registered early with a Gold Star ornament with the name of their loved ones. The families will also have the opportunity to inscribe a personal message on the backside of the ornament before hanging it on the holiday tree.
The Gold Star symbol began during World War I. At the start of the American involvement in 1917, families hung banners with blue stars representing family members in the services. If the service member died in combat, the family changed the blue star to gold.
For more information about the significance of the Gold Star, please visit https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/2246026/understanding-the-significance-of-the-gold-star/.
To RSVP for the Gold Star Holiday Tree ceremony, please visit https://forms.gle/3bSjJNvmhEg7Cdkw9.