Every year on the last Sunday of September, the United States recognizes Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star Families. Though they are not the ones who serve in battle, their sacrifices are deeply felt and deserve our nation’s highest respect.
The Gold Star Family
During World War I, households with immediate family members serving in the Armed Forces displayed a banner featuring a blue star. Each blue star represented one active-duty family member. Sadly, when a service member was killed in action, the blue star was replaced with a gold one. Families that displayed these banners became known as Gold Star Families.
Originally, the title “Gold Star Mother” referred specifically to mothers of fallen soldiers. Over time, the recognition expanded to include fathers, spouses, children, and other close relatives who share in the loss and honor of their loved one’s service.
These banners can display up to four stars. To order a Blue or Gold Indoor Star Service Banner, call us at 1-866-879-1776.
History of the Gold Star Family
In 1918, the Women’s Committee of National Defense approached President Woodrow Wilson with a proposal regarding how mothers in mourning should dress. Instead of the traditional black attire, mothers who had lost children in combat would wear a black armband featuring a gold star. President Wilson approved the request and, in doing so, coined the term “Gold Star Mother.”
The first official recognition of Gold Star Mothers occurred in 1936, when the United States formally honored mothers of service members who had died in battle. In 2011, President Barack Obama expanded the observance to include all Gold Star Families, designating the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day. In July 2020, the U.S. Senate went a step further by dedicating the entire week leading up to that Sunday as Gold Star Families Remembrance Week.
At Flags USA, we offer a wide variety of Military and Support Flags to help honor our nation’s heroes.
The best way to support a Gold Star Family is to honor and remember their fallen hero. Take time to learn their stories, attend memorial events, or simply express gratitude for their loved one’s sacrifice. Their strength and resilience remind us of the true cost of freedom.