LEWISTON – Members of area veterans organizations, their auxiliaries and the public are invited to attend a special service commemorating the 77th anniversary of the founding of the American Gold Star Mothers at noon Saturday, Sept. 24, in Kennedy Park.

Gold Star Mothers was formed by 25 women who had lost sons and daughters in World War I. The special service will be held at the Gold Star Mothers marker – shaped like a star – in Kennedy Park.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a proclamation in 1940 designating the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mothers Day.

The program will open with singing of “Star Spangled Banner” led by Maurice Marquis, past commandant, Central Maine Marine Corps League. The chaplain’s invocation will include a special prayer for Gold Star Mothers. A guest speaker will be announced. American Legion Post 22 Adjutant Jerry DerBoghosian will give a narration of the origin of the Gold Star Mothers and the work the organization has done in assisting veterans of all war eras. The program will close with singing of “God Bless America” by the assembly.

The service will be held rain or shine. For more information, call DerBoghosian at 782-5700 or 353-7435.