MSCoE CG and CSM Send: Honoring our Gold Star mothers and families

By Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, and MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood Command Sgt. Maj. Jorge ArzabalaSeptember 26, 2024

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

On the last Sunday in September, Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day honors mothers and families of fallen service members. Nothing can erase the tragedy of a lost loved one, but we will always honor the sacrifice our military and family members have made to ensure our country’s freedom.

As America entered World War I, deployed military members’ families showed pride in their loved one’s service by displaying the Blue Star Service Banner on doors and windows. The banner was red with a blue star sewn onto a white field; however, if the military member died while serving, the blue star was replaced with a gold one, symbolizing the value of the life and the price that was paid.

In 1936, President Franklin Roosevelt designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother’s Day (now known as Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day). Following World War II, the Department of Defense created the Gold Star Lapel Button and the Next of Kin Button. These pins are still presented today to the families of service members who lost their lives during combat or while serving on active duty.

If you see someone wearing the button or pin displaying the Gold Star Flag, know that they lost someone close to them, who served the country heroically. Thank them for continuing to carry forward the memories and the legacies of their loved ones and for continuing to support our military.

Gold Star mothers and families local to the area are a valuable part of our team and are encouraged to engage with our Fort Leonard Wood Survivor Outreach Services team in Bldg. 486, or call 573.596.0212 for support, information and services closest to where they live. Alternately, Gold Star families can contact an Army representative at 833.313.1960. We appreciate your continued commitment to honoring your loved one, along with your continued service to our nation.

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