Veterans Memorial Park
Wichita, Kansas
 
  Dedicated to the memory of those who have served our country... lest we forget!
 


THE
UNITED STATES
VETERAN

  
U. S. Coast Guard U. S. Marines U. S. Army U. S. NAVY U. S.  Air Force U. S. Merchant Marine
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AMERICAN GOLD STAR MOTHERS - WICHITA AREA
 

 

What's the difference between gold star mothers and American Gold Star Mothers, Inc?

"Gold star mothers" is a term that came into general use with the creation of the service flags used to show
that a family had a son in the service (a blue star) or a son that had died in the service (a gold star almost covering the blue star so that a rim of blue still shows). Mothers of slain servicemen came to be known as
gold star mothers. The phrase is sometimes capitalized but this is incorrect because it is not the proper name of any organization. The phrase is generic and, through customary usage has come to designate any mother whose child has been lost in war.

A group of gold star mothers met in 1928 and formed the organization American Gold Star Mothers, Inc (AGSM). AGSM is a private organization and you must apply for membership if you wish to join. AGSM is
also a non-profit, 501 C(3), organization and as such cannot engage in political or lobbying activities. Our members may have their own views which they are free to express, but these opinions are not those of AGSM. The organization takes no position on political issues of the day but does support our military and has many activities that reflect that support. There is more information on our history here.

We are not directly connected with any other organizations but we do communicate with similar organizations which share our purpose.
 

What is a service flag and who can display it?

Service Flag with gold and blue stars.The service flag may be displayed in a window of the place of residence of persons who are members of the immediate family of a person 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 may be engaged, for the duration of such period of war or hostilities.

The service flag may be displayed by an organization to honor the members of that organization serving in the Armed Forces during similar periods.
 

What is a service lapel button and who can wear it?ServiceButton_80Opt_2502.jpg (3974 bytes)

The service lapel button may be worn by members of the immediate family of a person serving in the Armed Forces during any period of war or hostilities in which the Armed Forces of the United States may be engaged, for the duration of such period of war or hostilities.

Note that the regulation service lapel button is very small, only 3/16" x 3/8". There are similar buttons available in larger sizes. Also, the service button is to be worn horizontally and when properly worn will have a point of the star straight up. A one star service banner pin, worn horizontally, will not have its star point straight up.

There are no regulation service lapel buttons with more than one star or other than a blue star. If a gold star is appropriate you may wear the gold star pin and, if you have additional, living service members, the service lapel button also.