HISTORY & PURPOSE OF GOLD STAR MOTHER'S AND FAMILY DAY
 

In 1936, the 74th Congress declared, “the last Sunday in September shall hereafter be designated and known as ‘Gold Star Mother’s Day,’ and it shall be the duty of the President to request its observance as provided for in this resolution.”
 
In 2016, President Barack Obama proclaimed that September 25, 2016, was to be known as Gold Star Mother’s and Family Day, a continuation of this long-standing tradition. “I call upon all Government officials to display the flag of the United States over Government buildings on this special day. I also encourage the American people to display the flag and hold appropriate ceremonies as a public expression of our Nation’s gratitude and respect for our Gold Star Mothers and Families.”
 
Gold Star families have had a non-profit organization working on their behalf since 1928 with the establishment of an organization called American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. Their mission includes education, remembrance, inspiring “true allegiance to the United States of America,” and most importantly for many, offering “needful assistance to all Gold Star Mothers and, when possible, to their descendants.”
 
The Gold Star Mother’s non-profit organization holds an annual convention and have events centered around Gold Star Mother’s Day and Veterans Day. They also partner with Wreaths Across America, where each December they work together to coordinate wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as over 1,200 locations in the U.S. and abroad.

Gold Star Mother’s and Family's Day is observed annually on the last Sunday in September. This year, that date is Sunday, September 25, 2022. The purpose of Gold Star Mother's and Family Day is to honor and remember mothers and families whose son or daughter died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

GOVERNOR DeSANTIS SIGNS BILL FOR NEW GOLD STAR FAMILY FLAG

TAMPA – On June 26, 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis signed CS/CS/HB 427: Honor and Remember Flag, at the University of South Florida’s Office of Veteran Success.
 
“Here in Florida, we take great pride in being the most Veteran-friendly state in the nation,” said Governor DeSantis. “With more than 1.5 million veterans living in Florida, this community makes up an important part of our state’s identity. While we may never be able to fully repay these men and women for their sacrifices, we will continue to do everything we can to support them and their families.”
 
CS/CS/HB 427, sponsored by Rep. Tommy Gregory and Sen. Joe Gruters, allows the flying of a new flag, the Honor and Remember Flag, to serve as the state’s emblem of the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who have given their lives in the line of duty. It allows the flag to be flown on Veterans Day, Gold Star Mother’s Day and the day on which a member of the United States Armed Forces who is a resident of Florida lost his or her life.

RESOURCE LINKS:
 
Survivor Outreach Services (SOS)
https://www.armymwr.com/programs-and-services/personal-assistance/survivor-outreach
 
Navy Gold Star Program
http://www.navygoldstar.com
 
American Gold Star Mothers
http://www.goldstarmoms.com/
 
Gold Star Awareness
www.goldstarawareness.com
 
Gold Star Wives
http://www.goldstarwives.org/
 
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
http://www.taps.org/
 
Florida National Guard webpage on Survivor Outreach Services
https://fl.ng.mil/services/Pages/Survivor-Outreach-Services.aspx
 
Military OneSource
http://www.militaryonesource.mil/
 
Taps Natural Disaster Response
https://floridavets.org/wp-content/uploads/TAPS-Natural-Disaster-Response.pdf
 
Hershel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor Foundation honoring Gold Star Families
https://woodywilliams.org/monument-overview.html

PAGE CREDITS/RESOURCE:
Florida Department of Veterans Affairs
https://floridavets.org/our-veterans/gold-star-families/