JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va –
The last Sunday in September is Gold Star Mother’s Day. This day honors the service and sacrifices these women and families gave to our nation.
Gold star families are spouses, children, parents, siblings and others, whose loved ones died serving our country. These families play a vital role in our country’s military community and history.
During World War I, families displayed small banners with a blue star for every immediate family member serving in the armed forces. If the service member died or was killed while serving, the family replaced the blue star with a gold star. The gold star lets the community know that the family had lost someone in military service.
Days honoring the sacrifices of these families now include:
· The last Sunday of September as Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day
· Recognizing April 5 as Gold Star Spouses Day
· 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,” said Thomas Lindemann, Operations Officer U.S. Army Support Activity.
A ceremony held on JBLE-Eustis on September 26, 2021, recognized and showed appreciation towards the mothers and families of our nation’s fallen heroes.
The ceremony included an invocation, singing of the national anthem, special remarks, a music medley, the sharing of memories and lunch afterward.
These days honor families of the fallen and are reminders that families are missing loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country every day. Our nation thanks them for their great sacrifice.