Has Cindy and her bunch stolen the Gold Star Mothers name from the original (and real) organization? Aren't there laws against that? This article makes it sound like it's the original group that's meeting--but I believe it's Cindy's?
Isn't the "Gold Star" a military award which is controlled like any other military award/medal?
seems the military can very quickly say the "gold star" is not to be used as a partisan political tool.
Usurped I believe is the word you are looking for.
And from the REAL American Gold Star Mothers' home page:
Cindy Sheehan is currently in the news. She and her organization have no connection whatever with American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. We are a 501 C(3) organization and, as such, do not engage in political activities. We do support our troops. After all, they are our children. More on gold star mothers vs American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.
http://www.goldstarmoms.com/agsm/Home/index.htm