e-2364 (Holidays and observances)

Petition to the Government of Canada

• The Memorial Cross (more often referred to as the Silver Cross) was first instituted by Order-in-Council 2374, dated December 1, 1919 and is awarded to mothers and widows (next of kin) of Canadian soldiers who died on active duty or whose death was consequently attributed to such duty;
• Presented towards 109,000 deaths of Canadian soldiers who died on active duty or whose death was consequently attributed to such duty;
• Once a year the Royal Canadian Legion selects a National Memorial (Silver) Cross Mother to represent the mothers of Canada who lost children in military service at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa, but unfortunately spouses and family members are excluded from this opportunity;
• The United States their Golden Star mothers on Gold Star Mother's Day, September 27, and Gold Star Spouses day, April 5; and
• August 14, the date of the first recorded Canadian death in service of WW1, Private Harry B. Little of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, could be the date selected to celebrate Memorial Cross Day.