Commemorating Sacrifice: OEM Celebrates Gold Star Spouses Day
A Day to Reflect, Remember, and Support Our Nation’s Gold Star Families
Honoring the Strength and Sacrifice of Military Spouses Who Gave All
Military spouses hold a crucial position in assisting their partners, providing stability, reassurance, and courage at home, allowing their loved ones to serve the nation when required. They are altruistic, brave, and the unrecognized champions of the Armed Forces. And for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and lost a partner while serving, we pay tribute to these “Gold Star Spouses” annually on 5 April.
Designated by Congress as Gold Star Spouses Day, this occasion serves to honor the significant effect that losing a loved one in military duty has on families. It acts as a chance for communities to unite in support of these partners and to honor the memory of their lost heroes.
We at the Office of Enterprise Management (OEM) wish to recognize all Gold Star Spouses and express our gratitude to them and their families for their courage and commitment to our nation. To accomplish this, let’s reflect on the beginnings of Gold Star Spouses Day and discover how we, as a group, can pay tribute to and commemorate the brave individuals who have experienced loss while heroically serving our country.
Background of Gold Star Spouses Day
Gold Star Spouses Day originated in the early 1900s during World War I (WWI). The phrase “Gold Star” was first used in WWI, when U.S. Army Captain Robert L. Queissner of the 5th Ohio Infantry (a father with two sons serving in Europe) patented and displayed the first known blue star banner in his window in 1917. Other families started showing star banners, featuring a blue star for every child serving in the military. When a service member was killed in action or succumbed to injuries, a gold star took the place of the blue one, indicating to the community the sacrifice the family made for the cause of freedom. These households came to be recognized as “Gold Star Families.”
Two decades later, on 23 June 1936, a joint congressional resolution established National Gold Star Mother’s Day to be observed on the final Sunday of September. It marked the inaugural official celebration to pay tribute to mothers and families whose children lost their lives while serving their nation. This event sparked the establishment of the Gold Star Wives of America in 1947, a private nonprofit group that offered assistance and services to the spouses of military personnel who lost their lives while on duty.
In 1980, Congress granted the organization its federal charter, and the inaugural Gold Star Wives Day was celebrated in December 2010. The following year, President Barack Obama changed the designation to “Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day,” and in 2012, the U.S. Senate officially recognized 5 April each year as Gold Star Spouses Day to include all spouses.
The Gold Star Lapel Button of the U.S. Army
In 1947, Congress authorized the design, production, and distribution of the official Gold Star Lapel Button, a symbol worn by the relatives of service members who died in war and armed conflicts. In 1973, the Lapel Button for Next of Kin of Deceased Personnel was created to represent active duty Soldiers who died during non-combat missions. Family members usually obtain these pins from the Army prior to or following their Soldier’s funeral service.
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Ways to Celebrate Gold Star Spouses Day
The Army honors Gold Star Spouses continuously via its Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) and will once again participate in the nationwide observance of Gold Star Spouses Day this year. Army SOS provides resources such as counseling, financial education, benefits assistance, and support groups to surviving family members for as long as they require or desire.
Alongside the Army’s initiatives, numerous events and activities take place to celebrate and assist Gold Star Spouses in your local community. These consist of rituals, memorial events, and programs to offer support and resources to individuals who have lost a spouse while serving. These consist of:
Participate in a community event or offer your time to a veterans’ organization.
- If you are in touch with a Gold Star Spouse, maintain that connection.
- Join local memorials to pay tribute to brave heroes who have fallen.
- Involve Gold Star Spouses in decisions regarding memorials to show them support.
- Discover more about Gold Spouses Day and spread the word on social media. Utilize #GoldStarSpousesDay when posting. Excellent locations to explore include:
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Gold Star Recognition
goldstarwives.org
Gold Star Parents and Families
OEM honors all Gold Star Spouses and the cherished individuals they lost for their dedication to our nation. Your strength, determination, and steadfast love amid deep loss motivate us all. We are eternally thankful for the sacrifices your loved ones have made in serving our nation, and we stand united with you, extending our utmost respect and support.
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