After WWI, The Pilgrimage Of Gold Star Mothers

By Steve Kraske,

Published September 24, 2014 at 3:50 PM CDT

Of the 4.7 million Americans who took part in World War I, over 116,000 of them died. Many were given a final resting place in American military cemeteries in Europe. After the Great War a program was begun to give Gold Star mothers and widows (those whose son or husband had served during the conflict) the opportunity to cross the Atlantic to visit their loved one's grave.

Author April Smith took this time in history as the inspiration for her latest novel, A Star for Mrs. Blake. She talks with Up to Date host Steve Kraske about the experiences of the women who made the pilgrimage then and tells what she learned from current-day Gold Star mothers.

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Danie Alexander

As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.

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