An "Honor and Remember" flag flies during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2020 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Sunday marks the day memorialized as Gold Star Mothers and Families Day, a solemn national observance honoring mothers, parents and relatives of service members who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The backstory:
The tradition traces back to World War I, when families displayed service flags in their windows, blue stars for loved ones in uniform and gold stars for those killed in action. That symbol of sacrifice eventually gave rise to the term "Gold Star Mother," and later to American Gold Star Mothers, Inc, founded in 1928 by Grace Darling Seibold after her son, Lt. George Vaughn Seibold was killed in combat in France.
Big picture view:
The U.S. Congress formally designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother’s Day in 1936, and presidential proclamations since have broadly recognized the community of Gold Star families, including fathers, spouses, siblings and children, who all share in the loss of a loved one.
Gold Star Mother Rose Duval attends the Rededication Ceremony of the Sacred Soil Marker in Section 18 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, July 5, 2026. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery)
The weekend will be host to multiple events in Washington, D.C. and throughout the country, including wreath-laying ceremonies, awareness walks and other activities designed to connect spouses, parents and siblings who share the experience of losing a service member.
What we know:
The White House is expected to issue its annual proclamation this weekend, calling on Americans to fly the U.S. flag and honor families who have endured the death of a loved one in service. Several states, including Florida, Texas and Ohio have announced additional observances ranging from statewide moments of silence to expanded programming at veterans' homes and memorial parks.
Members of the Gresham community listen to remarks during the 9/11 Honor and Remember Gold Star Families’ Memorial ceremony at Microchip Technologies in Gresham, Oregon, on September 11, 2026. (Oregon National Guard photo by John Hughel)
For many families, this year’s events offer both reflection and a rare opportunity for connection. Gold Star parents say the annual observance helps ensure their children’s sacrifice is remembered, even as the nation’s attention shifts from year to year.
The Source: This story was written with information provided by American Gold Star Mothers, Inc and the Presidential Actions section on Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day from the White House. This story was reported from Orlando.