Gold Star Mother’s Day is observed each year on the last Sunday in September.
The Gold Star symbolizes the loss of a loved one in combat. The exact origin of this tradition is unknown. However, during World War I banners with blue stars were displayed as a sign that the household had a family member fighting in the war. At some point, gold stars were seen in the displays to signify the family had lost their loved one to the war effort.
The term “Gold Star Family” became a part of the U.S. national vocabulary due to the sacrifices of those uniformed service members.
The non-profit organization, American Gold Star Mother’s Inc., was established in 1928 to work on the behalf of Gold Star Families. Their mission includes education, remembrance, inspiration of “true allegiance to the United States of America,” and the most important mission to many, “needful assistance to all Gold Star Mothers and when possible, their dependents.”
Gold Star Mother’s Day is not an official holiday, government offices and businesses don’t close. But, it is an important day to remember and recognize the sacrifices made in the name of service to their country.