Angel Blog

Celebrating Gold Star Mother’s Day

No one understands the true price of freedom made by our military heroes more than our Gold Star Mothers. Each year, the last Sunday in September is Gold Star Mother’s Day, a day set aside to recognize their grief, sacrifices, and strengths.

What is a Gold Star Mother/Family?

Gold Star Mothers are Mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of our country. A Gold Star Family is one who has lost a family member in the service of our country.

Where the Gold Star comes from

During World War I, families with loved ones who were currently serving hung “service flags” with a blue star for every immediate family member who was currently serving. 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 and blue star banners

How Gold Star Mother’s Day got started

Starting in 1936, the United States began observing Gold Star Mother’s Day on the last Sunday of September. At the end of World War II, Gold Star Wives was formed. Today, the tradition extends to all family members. This is a day we recognize the pain, grief and sacrifice mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters must endure when a loved one dies in service to our nation.

Our military families serve this country alongside our military heroes. They provide support while their loved ones are away, they raise families in the absence of their partners, and they pick up the pieces when their loved one is killed or injured in the line of duty.

If you are a Gold Star Mother or Family, we honor your sacrifice and thank you for your service. If you know a Gold Star Mother or Family, please take time today to recognize them.

Soldiers’ Angels Living Legends Team

The Soldiers’ Angels Living Legends Team was created to offer comfort to families of service members who have fallen in the performance of their military duties. This team has a very delicate task and often supports Gold Star Mothers and their families. The Living Legends Team sends personalized sympathy cards to grieving families to convey our compassion and heavy hearts. In addition, they send a Gold Star and a letter to the family, submit the fallen hero’s name to PlantMemorialTree.com, and send a remembrance booklet during the holidays. Here’s a story we did on one of our Living Legends Team Angel members, who happens to be a Gold Star Mother: Meet Toni Gross, a Gold Star Mother and much, much more!