September 10, 2004
Oroville Mercury April 11, 1945, May 10, 1945
Lawrence Stram At San Diego
Hospital
Lawrence Stram,
third class Pharmacist's
Mate in the Navy, has arrived at the naval hospital in San Diego,
member of his family here learned today. Stram, who was shot
in the upper right arm by a Japanese sniper while serving with the
5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima March 8, telephoned his
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Milo
Stram of Vallejo, formerly of Oroville, that he expects to
be transferred within a few weeks to a bay area hospital.
He said his arm at present is paralyzed, but that improvement is
expected soon.
Stram Seems Happy in Hospital
Lawrence Stram
of Oroville, Pharmacist’s Mate
3/c, stops rummaging in his bedside locker for reading material
long enough to direct a big smile at a friend. Stram is convalescing
at the U. S. Naval Hospital in San Diego from an arm injury received
at Iwo Jima. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Milo Stram of Vallejo,
formerly of Oroville.
Sunday,
September 26th is Gold Star Mothers Day.
From the World Book Encyclopedia 1965 edition:
Gold
Star Mothers, is an organization of women who lost their sons in
World Wars I and II and the Korean conflict. It took its name
from the custom of placing a gold star on a service flag in honor
of a man killed in war. The organization has about 25,000
members. It was founded in 1928 and has its headquarters in
Washington, D. C. HARRIETT.
T. MASINCUPP.
GOLD STAR MOTHER’S DAY honors mothers who lost their sons in
World War I and II and the Korean War. The American Gold Star
Mothers, Inc., had requested Congress to authorize such a day.
In 1936, Congress passed a resolution authorizing the President
“to issue a proclamation calling upon the government officials to
display the United States flag on all government buildings, and
the people of the United States to display the flag and to hold
appropriate meetings… as a public expression of the love, sorrow,
and reverence of the people of the United States for the American
Gold Star Mothers.” Each President since 1940 has designated
the last Sunday in September for the observance of Gold Star Mother’s
Day. RAYMOND HOYT JAHN
GOLD STAR WIVES OF AMERICA, INC., is an organization of widows
of servicemen who died in service or from service-connected disabilities
after dischare. Members meet for mutual understanding and
helpfulness. Chapters have junior groups of the children of
such servicemen. These members meet each year, with their
mothers, at a national convention. The Gold Star Wives organization
was founded in New York in 1945.
Stu’s notes:
Now that more and more women are going to War, I’m sure these
clubs included those that died. Sad but the roll of the Gold
Star Mothers has increased by 1,000 eligible members since the Invasion
of Iraq. Oroville had a group of Gold Star Mothers before and after
WW II, I don’t think they are active now. Oroville lost
at lease 2 or 3 young men on Iwo Jima, that I know of. Lawrence
Stram got “ The Million Dollar Wound” a trip home.
I have been receiving more calls on the POW/MIA bracelets.
Committee member, Joan Lee is doing a great job finding out what
happened to the soldiers.
Remember POW/MIA Recognition Day, candle light service, on
the steps of the Veteran’s Memorial Building on Montgomery Street.
Friday, September 17th at 6:300pm.