What is a Gold Star?
The term Gold Star Family is a modern reference that comes from the Service Flag. These flags/banners were first flown by families during World War I. The flag included a blue star for every immediate family member serving in the armed forces of the United States, during any period of war or hostilities in which the armed forces of the United States were engaged. If that loved one died, the blue star was replaced by a gold star. This allowed members of the community to know the price that the family had paid in the cause of freedom. A silver star represents a wounded, ill, injured and dying active duty service member or veteran.
Today, the nation recognizes the sacrifice that all Gold Star Family members make when a father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, or other loved one dies in service to the nation. The strength of our nation is our military. The strength of our military is our service members. The strength of our service members is our families. The US Military Services recognize that no one has given more for the nation than the families of the fallen.
http://www.army.mil/goldstar/ and http://www.silverstarfamilies.org
Stories from our local families and families from around Wisconsin coming soon.
