A gold star parent is a parent whose child has died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. This term has been used since WWI and was derived from the Service Flag, which was first adopted after the outbreak of World War I.
The Service Flag has a star for each family member serving in the military, including deceased soldiers. Since WWI, those families who had children who died in battle sported a gold star rather than the usual blue one.
This unspoken title is sometimes given to parents who have lost sons or daughters in military service. It came about as a way to recognize the families who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and for the families who endure this unthinkable loss.
Gold star parents are not only an inspiration, but also a symbol of patriotism.
Today, gold star parents’ advocacy lies mostly in the Gold Star Families of America, an organization founded in 2003 that provides assistance and support to families who have lost an active duty service member in wartime.
The organization holds events and activities to recognize their sacrifices and bring awareness to their plight. For many of these parents, just having someone to talk to and connect with who has gone through a similar loss is invaluable.
What is a blue star and Gold Star Mother?
A Blue Star and Gold Star Mother is a mother who has lost a son or daughter to war. The term comes from the Blue Star Service Flag, which was designed to recognize and honor the men and women serving in the US military during World War I.
The blue star was displayed in the windows of homes with a son or daughter fighting in the war. In the US, mothers of these service men and women were admired for their sacrifices and were referred to as “Blue Star Mothers”.
Today, mothers who have lost a son or daughter during wartime are known as Gold Star Mothers. The Gold Star Flag, which evolved from the Blue Star Flag, is displayed in the windows of homes where family members have given their lives in service to their country.
These mothers are honored with special recognition and awards, as well as a variety of other benefits, including assistance and support from the US Veterans Affairs.
What is a white star mother?
A White Star Mother is a mother who has had a son or daughter who died while serving in the United States Military during a period of war or conflict. They are named after the white star lapel button that has become a symbol of a Gold Star family.
Gold Star families are those who have lost a family member in the service of the United States of America. The White Star Mothers of America organization was found in 1928 in response to the large number of mothers who had lost sons or daughters in World War I.
The group was formed to honor war dead, to aid veterans and active-duty military, and to help grieving parents moved through their difficult times. The organization is dedicated to helping those mothers and their families who have suffered the ultimate sacrifice of a loved one, and provides a way for them to connect with mourners and families in similar situations.
White Star Mothers have been involved in countless developments, legislation, and other such activities devoted to honoring and protecting those in the military and their Gold Star families. The organization also produces scholarships and provides health and other necessary services as well as encouraging respect for the U.
S. flag and the American way of life.
How do you become a blue star mother?
Becoming a Blue Star Mother involves meeting a few criteria and following a few steps.
First, you must either have a military son or daughter who is currently serving on active duty, or who has been honorably discharged. This means that as a Blue Star Mother, you have experienced the unique challenges of having a loved one in the military.
Second, you must be experiencing your own distinct emotions as a member of a military family. Many Blue Star Mothers have gone through the mix of emotions as they watch their children head off to war, or to other locations around the globe.
Third, you must be interested in finding an opportunity to share your own thoughts and experiences with other military families that you can relate to and support.
Once the above is met, there are steps to becoming a Blue Star Mother. You should first reach out to the Blue Star Mothers of America and inquire about membership. There are local chapters in most states, and you may find one close to you.
If there is not a chapter close to you, you may be able to join a virtual chapter as well.
The Blue Star Mothers of America also offer support and resources for its members, including educational, informational and fundraising activities. By joining a chapter, you can participate in important military-related events, receive support from other mothers, learn more about military spouses and children, and expand your own understanding of military life.
By becoming a part of the Blue Star Mothers of America, you can make a positive impact on the lives of many military families throughout the country.
Who can join Blue Star families?
Blue Star families is an organization dedicated to providing support and resources to families of service members in the U. S. military. Any family that has a member currently serving or has served in any branch of the U.
S. Armed Forces is eligible to become a member of Blue Star Families. This includes active-duty, reserve, and guard members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and the National Guard, as well as the U.
S. Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps. In addition to the service member, their spouse, surviving spouse, parents, grandparents, children (over 18), stepchildren, and legal guardians are also eligible for membership.
Blue Star Families provides resources such as employment and career help, a relocation assistance program, parenting and family support, wellness and resilience, and member discounts.
What is the difference between a Blue Star family and a Gold Star family?
A Blue Star family is a family who has a member that is currently serving in the military. A Gold Star family is a family who has a member that was killed in action while serving in the military. This designation dates back to WWI, when service flags were displayed in the windows of family’s homes.
Each star on the flag represented a family member in the military. A blue star meant that a family member was serving, and a gold star indicated that a family member had died in action. Blue Star families are provided with specialized support and resources and are recognized for the sacrifices their family members make.
Gold Star families are also honored and provided support and resources, such as bereavement counseling and college tuition assistance.
Why are families called gold Star?
Families who are called “Gold Star” are so-named for their sacrifice of the life of a family member in service to the United States. This term comes from the custom of families of fallen service members to display a gold star on a flag or banner to represent the loved one who gave their life protecting the country.
The term “Gold Star” symbolizes a long-standing tradition of honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by serving in the Armed Forces. It also serves to remind us of the unique sacrifice made by the families each of these heroes left behind.
In the United States, surviving family members are given a lapel pin (called the Gold Star Family lapel pin) and a certificate to honor the fallen service member. Families who have lost a member can also be recognized with a National Gold Star family service flag and ribbon, along with other benefits for families of fallen service members.
The Gold Star is a solemn reminder of what it takes to preserve and protect the nation we all hold so dear, and to honor and never forget the fallen heroes and their Gold Star families.
What is the meaning of golden star?
The phrase “golden star” can have a few different meanings depending on the context it is being used in. It can refer to the symbolic recognition or reward given for exemplary performance. For example, when a student is given the title of “Golden Star Performer” it means that their performance in their studies or extra-curricular activities is exceptional and worth of recognition.
The phrase can also refer to the emblem of a five-pointed star, usually made of gold and often used as a national symbol to represent excellence or achievement within a certain field. Finally, in some cultures, a golden star is seen as a sign of good luck or fortune.
Who qualifies as a Blue Star mother?
A Blue Star mother is someone who has a son or daughter who is in active duty US military service, a veteran, or who sacrificed his or her life in service to the United States. Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.
is a veterans’ service organization that was established in 1942, in which mothers epitomize patriotism by supporting their children in uniform. Membership is also open to stepmothers, maternal grandmothers, adoptive mothers, and female legal guardians who are or were caring for a service member.
Female spouses of veterans or deceased service members are also eligible to join if they possess the minimum requirements to be a Blue Star Mother. Women whose children are serving in the National Guard, Reserves, and certain patriotic organizations, such as the Red Cross, may join if they connect through family lineage to a service member who has worn or is wearing the uniform of any branch of the Armed Forces during any period of war.
What does blue star in family mean in military?
In the military, a blue star on a family’s flag or banner typically indicates that one of its members is actively serving in the armed forces. This “blue star service banner/flag” is a way to show support and gratitude for the sacrifices being made by members of the military.
It is an especially poignant reminder of those serving in times of war or conflict, and is a sign of solemn pride and appreciation to the families of those deployed. The star is usually blue because it has long been a symbol of devotion, loyalty and patriotism, but the family may choose to use another color or pattern that represents their loved one.
Families may also choose to display either a blue star or a silver one, depending on whether the service member is deployed, or has been killed or is missing in action. This symbol first appeared during World War I, and has continued to endure as an iconic representation of the sacrifice that brave men and women who serve in the military make.