In getting independence, every country laid a thousand lives. From a common man to military personnel, each one of us made countless sacrifices. But the army is considered to be the backbone of any country. From getting the freedom to securing the borders, their lives are always in danger. But sadly, their families are the ones who suffer most once they lost there any of their loved ones while fighting a war. Military personnel never served alone in the army. It has been reported that in 2015, a total of 1 million family members served in their active duty service member. From these counts, there comes a huge amount of children ad spouses who performed their duties with dignity. Whether a person lives in a military society or not, there are possibilities that a common man can know them hat they belong to military background or not. To know about all these theories, it is necessary to learn and understand what blue star and gold star families are and what are the differences between them.
Define the term “Blue Star Family”.
A blue star family is defined as an immediate family member who is still in the service or a service member when there is a war or conflict.
What are the ways by which a blue star family can be recognized easily?
By placing a blue star service flag, a blue star family can be known by all. The blue stars on the flag show the count of persons who are still present to serve the Armed Forces from the specific immediate family.
Who laid the foundation of the blue star service flag?
It was patented and made by WWI Army Captain Robert L. Queisser who had two sons that served on the front line during conflicts. Sooner, it became the unofficial sign of a child who is still in the service.
What leads to the formation of the “Gold Star”?
At the time of World War 1, numerous families placed tiny banners consisting of a blue star for all the immediate families that were serving the armed forces. In case, if the person died in service, the family changed the blue star with a gold star. The gold star indicates and helps society to know that the man who was in service has died or was killed while performing his duty.
Define the term “Gold Star Family”.
A gold star family is defined as an immediate family member who died during the service while performing his duty in a conflict o war situation.
Who laid the foundation of the gold star service flag?
In 1918, a suggestion was put up by the Woman’s Committee of the Council of National Defenses that the mothers who lost their child while serving in the armed forces and encounter a war situation could wear a traditional black armband having a gold star on it. This was later authorized by president Wilson. Afterward, this approval leads to a tradition of replacing a gold star with a blue star on the service flag that explains the service person had died. It is to be kept in mind that leads to a belief, that Wilson laid the foundation for the gold star which was later coined as “Gold Star Mother.”
How does the nation acknowledge the gold star survivors?
Today, the entire country admires the gold star survivors in several ways and shows their gratitude, respect, and honor for the sacrifices that their loved ones make in saving the nation:
- After the passage of a joint congressional resolution on June 23rd, 1936, the nation celebrates the last Sunday of September as Gold Star’s Mother Day. After an amendment made by President Obama in 2011, the day was turned into Family’s Day.
- Celebrated gold star spouse day on April 5th.
- Approving the Gold Star Lapel Button which was established in August 1947.
Conclusion:
Today, the entire country pays homage to the services being made by the Gold Star Family members. The strongest pillar of any nation is its army whose power is its soldiers. Soldiers’ entire energy, enthusiasm, and capacity lie with their families. It is a very well-known fact that the sacrifices made by the soldiers for their beloved country become an unending pain for their families.
FAQs
1) What possible benefit a gold star wife may get?
An amount of $255 in social security benefits has been paid to the spouse of the deceased man. In case, if there’s no surviving spouse of the dead one, then the children will get the amount.
2) Is it possible that the gold star families receive any educational stipend?
Those spouses and children who are connected to college may get a college or technical/trade school scholarship. This educational scholarship will cover all the expenses that come in the way of getting an education.
3) Define the white star family.
White stars refer to those families whose lose loved ones died due to suicide while serving in the military. Losing someone during fighting or suicide is incredibly disastrous but it appears to be a remarkable distinction.
4) Name the rarest medal in the entire world.
The Victoria Cross appears to be the rarest medal in the entire world.
