Sept. 25 is Gold Star Mother's and Family Day

Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day falls on Sept. 25, and is traditionally observed on the last Sunday in September. The day is for honoring families of those who have received The Gold Star – the military award no one wants. The award commemorates the tragic death of a military member who has perished while in the line of duty and hopes to provide a level of comfort to the parents and families that are left behind. The family can display a Gold Star Service Flag for any military family members who have died from any honorable cause – each gold star on the flag signifies a death. Though today only around 1 percent of the country is involved in military service, as compared to the 12 percent during other times of war, like World War II, there are still a significant number of surviving Gold Star families – not to mention, a Gold Star lives on in a family’s legacy.

The American Gold Star Mothers Inc. first got its start in 1917, when Grace Siebold’s son was killed during World War I. Wanting to create a support system for grieving mothers in similar circumstances, Grace gathered what would become the American Gold Star Mothers to grieve together and tend to hospitalized veterans in local hospitals. The organization was formalized as a non-profit in 1928, with a mission of remembrance, education and patriotism. Today, they support Gold Star mothers in their grief, hold an annual conference and organize events with supporting groups.

Though Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day isn’t observed as a National, federal holiday like Memorial Day, it was declared by Congress in 1936 to be the last Sunday in September – though, at the time, it was only known as “Gold Star Mother’s Day.” It was in 2011 that President Obama amended the declaration, declaring the day to include families as well as mothers. Today, the holiday includes any immediate family member and authorizes that person to display the Gold Star Service Flag. Understanding the sacrifice and acknowledging the holiday are the best ways to support the families and honor the soldiers.