American Gold Star Mothers of WWII, State Street Bridge

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc is an organization of mothers whose sons or daughters have made the supreme sacrifice while in any branch of the Military or Naval Service of the United States of America, or died as a result of such service.

Replacement of the old steel bridge had to wait until after WWII because materials were needed for the war effort.

The bridge was built in 1948 (has been rebuilt since then) with state, county and city funds. It was dedicated by the Gold Star Mothers of WWII, Unit 74. This dedication is memorialized by matching plaques at the east and west ends of the bridge. After the dedication there was a meal served at Veterans Memorial Hall.

The Purposes of the Gold Star Mothers

1. Keep alive and develop the spirit that promoted world services.

2. Maintain the ties of fellowship born of that service, and to assist and further all patriotic work.

3. Inculcate a sense of individual obligation to community, State and Nation.

4. Assist veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict, Vietnam and other strategic areas and their dependents in the presentation of claims to the Veteran’s Administration, and to aid in any way in their power the men and women who served and died or were wounded or incapacitated during hostilities.

5. Perpetuate the memory of those whose lives were sacrificed in our wars.

6. Maintain true allegiance to the United States of America.

7. Inculcate lessons of patriotism and love of country in the communities in which we live.

8. Inspire respect for the Stars and Stripes in the youth of America.

9. Extend needful assistance to all Gold Star Mothers and, when possible, to their descendents.

10. To promote peace and good will for the United States and all other Nations.