Gold Star Mother’s Day

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/gold-star-mothers-day#:~:text=It%20falls%20on%20Sunday%2C%20September,the%20United%20States%20Armed%20Forces.

Each year on Gold Star Mother’s Day the United States president calls on all Americans to display the nation’s flag and hold appropriate meetings to publicly express their love, sorrow, and reverence towards Gold Star Mothers and their families. Government buildings are also required to display the flag.
American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is an organization of mothers whose sons or daughters served and died while serving their nation in times of war or conflict. It organizes major events that take place on or around Gold Star Mother’s Day each year. Previous activities included a Gold Star flower wreath laying service, as well as an afternoon tour of President Lincoln’s cottage in Washington DC.
The last Sunday in September is also Parents of Fallen Military Sons and Daughters Day in New Jersey. This day is a tribute to all parents whose children died as a result of their service with the United States Armed Forces. It commemorates the contributions, commitments and sacrifices made by those parents individually and through the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.

A gold star flag is displayed by immediate family members of a military member who died while on duty. The flag is placed to let the community know that a loved one died while serving.
The gold star flag features a gold star placed over a blue star. The number of gold stars on the flag corresponds to the number of family members who died.
The Department of Defense authorizes the following immediate family members to display the flag:
Spouses, Parents, Children, Siblings, Stepparents, Stepchildren, Stepsiblings, Half-siblings, Adopted parents, and Adopted children.
The gold star designation originated during World War I, when families displayed small banners with a blue or gold star. A blue star represented a family member serving in the armed forces, while a gold star represented a family member who died while serving.
In addition to the gold star flag, Gold Star family members can also wear a gold star lapel button. The button was established in 1947 and is awarded by the US Department of Defense.