Military spouses play a pivotal role in supporting their partners – lending stability, comfort, and bravery on the home front so their significant others can defend our nation when duty calls. They are selfless, courageous, and are the unsung heroes of the Armed Forces. And for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and lost a partner while he or she was in the line of duty, we honor these “Gold Star Spouses” each year on 5 April.
Officially recognized by Congress as Gold Star Spouses Day, this is a dedicated time to remember the profound impact that the loss of a loved one in military service can have on families. It serves as an opportunity for communities to come together in support of these spouses and to hold sacred the memory of their fallen heroes.
We at the Office of Enterprise Management (OEM) would like to acknowledge all Gold Star Spouses and thank them and their loved ones for their bravery and dedication to our country. To do so, let’s take a look back at the origins of Gold Star Spouses Day and learn ways that we, as an organization, can honor and remember the courageous men and women who have lost loved ones while valiantly serving our nation.
Gold Star Spouses Day History
Gold Star Spouses Day dates back to the early 1900s in the midst of World War I (WWI). The term "Gold Star" itself originated during WWI, when U.S. Army Captain Robert L. Queissner, 5th Ohio Infantry, (a father with two sons fighting in Europe) patented and hung the first recorded blue star banner in his window in 1917. Other families began displaying star banners, with a blue star for each child in active military service. If a service member was killed in action or died from injuries, a gold star replaced the blue, signifying to the community the price the family had paid for the cause of freedom. These families became known as “Gold Star Families.”
Twenty years later, on 23 June 1936, National Gold Star Mother's Day was designated by a joint congressional resolution to occur on the last Sunday in September. It was the first official holiday to honor those mothers and families whose sons or daughters died while in the service of their country. This was the catalyst for the formation of the Gold Star Wives of America in 1947, a private nonprofit organization that provided support and services to the widows and widowers of military members who died on duty.
In 1980, the organization received its federal charter from Congress and in 2010, the first Gold Star Wives Day was observed in December. The following year, President Barack Obama amended the day to “Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day” and in 2012, the U.S. Senate designated the day to be recognized each year on 5 April as Gold Star Spouses Day to be more inclusive of all spouses.
The U.S. Army Gold Star Lapel Button
In 1947, Congress approved the design, manufacture and distribution of the official Gold Star Lapel Button, a symbol worn by next of kin of service members who lost their lives in war and armed hostilities. In 1973, the Lapel Button for Next of Kin of Deceased Personnel was introduced to symbolize active duty Soldiers who lost their lives in non-combat operations. Family members typically receive these pins from the Army before or after their Soldier’s funeral service.
How to Observe Gold Star Spouses Day
The Army salutes Gold Star Spouses at all times through its Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) and will again join the nation in observing Gold Star Spouses Day this year. Army SOS offers resources that include supportive counseling, financial education, benefits coordination, and support groups to surviving Family members for as long as they need or request.
In addition to the Army’s programs, various events and activities are organized to honor and support Gold Star Spouses within your own community. These include ceremonies, remembrance gatherings, and initiatives to provide assistance and resources to those who have lost a partner in the line of duty. These include:
Attend a local event or volunteer with a veterans’ group.
- If you know a Gold Star Spouse, stay connected.
- Attend memorials near you in honor of fallen warriors.
- Support Gold Star Spouses by including them in memorial decisions.
- Learn more about Gold Spouses Day and share information on social media. Use #GoldStarSpousesDay when sharing. Great sites to visit include:
- Gold Star Awareness
- goldstarwives.org
- Gold Star Mothers and Families
OEM salutes all Gold Star Spouses and the loved ones they lost for their service to our country. Your strength, resilience, and unwavering love in the face of profound loss inspires us all. We are forever grateful for the sacrifices made by your loved ones in service to our country, and we stand with you in solidarity, offering our deepest respect and support.
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