According to a 2022 article by Abigail Carey, Army Public Affairs Fellow, on the website of Arlington National Cemetery, “The origin of what would become Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day started with a simple accessory: a black armband with a gilt star.”
These armbands were worn by the family members of those killed in World War I, which led to hanging banners with stars in windows or on doors. As many Auxiliary members know, a blue star meant a family member was serving. A gold star meant that loved one would never come home.
In 1918, Grace Darling Seibold became one of too many mothers to have to replace her blue star with a gold one. Her son George, age 23, was declared dead, though his body was never recovered. In 1928, she and 24 other mothers whose sons were killed in action formed Gold Star Mothers, Inc. Each had experienced an unquantifiable loss, but they joined together to honor their veterans through acts of service, as described by their mission statement: “Finding the strength in the fellowship of other Gold Star Mothers who strive to keep the memory of our sons and daughters alive by working to help veterans, those currently serving in the military, their families, and our communities.”
From 1929-1933, the VFW Auxiliary supported the efforts of the United States government when they allowed for a pilgrimage of 7,700 Gold Star Mothers to France where they would finally set eyes on the final resting places of their sons who fought and died in World War I. Members of the Auxiliary welcomed these women when they arrived in New York ahead of the journey, entertaining them during their stay and waving them goodbye as their boat sailed toward Europe. Each mother had been presented a large “Buddy”® Poppy, tied with a victory ribbon, and an American Flag, by the VFW Auxiliary. Four contingents of Gold Star Mothers made this trip over a span of four years; upon return, many told Auxiliary members they had left the poppies on the graves of their sons.
In 1936, a joint congressional resolution determined the last Sunday in September would officially be designated Gold Star Mother’s Day and in 2016, President Obama issued a Gold Star Mother’s Day proclamation that introduced a change to the holiday: it would henceforth officially be known as Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, to recognize the immeasurable grief and unique challenges shared by all members of those lost in war, our Gold Star Families.
Our hearts are with our Gold Star Mothers and Families this Sunday, September 28, as they have been on every day of every year since the very first mother affixed the first black armband with a gilt star to her arm more than 100 years ago.
Below, please click to watch National President Lois Callahan’s Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day address: