SC068 Gold Star Mothers Legion Scrapbook Finding Aid

The Gold Star Mothers of Kansas City began in 1945 when Mrs. Myra Willock first called together a group of 10 mothers after her son lost his life in World War II. Initially they met to encourage and comfort each other, but after the war they volunteered their time for veteran needs in hospitals. The scrapbook features the lives of 37 men from Kansas City or the immediate area, who except for one, were killed during World War II. The death dates cover from September 24, 1942, to October 20, 1952, a ten-year period. Each man's page contains a short history of his life, including his school and military history as well as his military honors and his place of burial. Also included are 32 photographs, mostly military portraits as well as a few snapshots. Many entries include poetry written by war mothers.