Remember Gold Star mothers and families

The last Sunday in September is Gold Star Mother’s Day.

The name “Gold Star Mothers” was derived from the custom of military families who put a service flag near their front window. The flag featured a star for each man or woman serving in the military of the United States; living members were denoted in blue but gold stars honored family members who were killed while on duty.

The Gold Star was superimposed upon the blue star in such a manner as to entirely cover it. The idea of the Gold Star was that the honor and glory accorded the person for his or her supreme sacrifice in offering for his or her country, the last full measure of devotion and pride of the family in this sacrifice, rather than the sense of personal loss, which would be represented by mourning symbols.

A Gold Star may be seen on a service flag or in the form of a pin, which is worn by Gold Star mothers. The pin is not limited to mothers, as fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers also wear the Gold Star. It is awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Each year, the U.S. president is requested to issue a proclamation to call on U.S. government officials to display the nation’s flag on all government buildings and to call on people to display the flag and hold appropriate meetings at homes, churches or other suitable places on Gold Star Mother’s Day to publicly express the love, sorrow and reverence to those who are Gold Star mothers and their families.