Medal Given to Aunt Kass to Commemorate Her Pilgrimage
In 1929 Congress passed legislation authorizing the secretary of war to allow Gold Star Mothers of and widows of American soldiers buried overseas to travel to Europe as guests of the nation. When Frank's mother died in 1912, his aunt Kass [Katherine] took over the mother's role for the family. Consequently, her application to visit Frank's grave was accepted and she made the Pilgrimage in 1930.
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Aunt Kass [in Polka Dot dress] with her group. |
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Kass and her group visit the Tomb of France's Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe. |
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In September 1997, Frank's Great Grand Nephew Patrick Beatty [in dark jacket in the center of the photo] stood approximately where Kass had stood at the Arc de Triomphe. |
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Aunt Kass at Frank's grave. |
To learn more about the Gold Star Mothers' Pilgimages we recommend:
World War I Gold Star Mothers Pilgrimages from the National Archives
Gold Star Mothers & the Memorialization of the Great War
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