A Gold Star Family is the immediate family member(s) of a fallen service member who died while serving in a time of conflict. The term "Gold Star" comes from the Service Flag, which was first flown by families during World War I. The flag included a blue star for every immediate family member serving in the armed forces of the United States, during any period of war or hostilities in which the armed forces of the United States were engaged. If that loved one died, the blue star was replaced by a gold star. This allowed members of the community to know the price that the family had paid in the cause of freedom.
Gold Star Families have experienced a great loss, but their ties to the military community remain strong. There are several ways in which the nation recognizes Gold Star survivors to show its deep gratitude, including designating the last Sunday of September as Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, recognizing April 5 as Gold Star Spouses Day, and authorizing the Gold Star Lapel Button. These buttons are a symbol of the nation’s appreciation of a service member’s sacrifice to country and service, allowing us to honor and recognize the families of these brave men and women.
There are also organizations that provide support to Gold Star Families, such as Gold Star Families for Peace, which is a United States-based organization founded in January 2005 by individuals who lost family members in the Iraq War, and are thus entitled to display a Gold Star. Americas Gold Star Families is another not-for-profit organization created to provide honor, hope, and healing to those grieving any military loss while serving active duty.