Gold Star Mothers Flags

The gold star dates to the First World War, when families hung a service flag in the window with a blue star for each member serving. If that member died, a gold star was sewn over the blue one. A Gold Star Mothers flag carries that same star today. Flying it says three things at once.

Gold Star Mothers have lived through a loss most of us cannot picture. Flying the flag is a public expression of sympathy and gratitude for their son’s or daughter’s service.

The grief does not end. Seeing the flag on a porch, a firehouse, or a town hall tells a Gold Star Mother that her community sees the sacrifice and has not forgotten it.

The star stands for a life given for the country. Displaying it keeps that person’s name and service in view, on the days set aside for remembrance and on ordinary days too.

Two finishes, each with or without embroidery. Fringe is for indoor display and parades: a pole hem with leather tabs and golden yellow rayon fringe, made to hang from an indoor pole or be carried. Grommets are for outdoors: a duck heading with two brass grommets, made to clip to a halyard and fly beneath the American flag. The customizable versions add an embroidered name, dates, or a short message.

The Gold Star Mothers flag is printed on the same 200 denier nylon we use for our printed American flags. It is light enough to fly in a breeze and treated to resist UV fading.

• Fabric: UV-resistant 200 denier nylon, digitally printed.
• Fringe finish: flannel-lined pole heading, two leather tabs, 2.5 inch golden yellow rayon fringe.
• Grommet finish: white poly/cotton duck heading with two brass grommets.
• Print: single-reverse. The design prints on the front and shows through to the back in mirror image.
• Customizable versions: embroidered names, dates, or a short message.

A single-reverse flag shows the design correctly from the front. From the back you see the same image through the fabric, reversed. On a Gold Star flag the star and border are symmetrical, so the flag reads the same from either side. Only embroidered text reads backward from behind, which is normal for a single-sided flag.

The Flag Code (4 U.S.C. § 7) puts the flag of the United States at the peak when other flags share its halyard, and never below another flag. On one pole, the Gold Star flag flies directly under the American flag. On separate poles of equal height, the American flag goes to its own right, which is the viewer’s left. Pair the grommet version with a nylon American flag of the same size or one size larger. Our flag etiquette guide covers the other display rules.

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is made up of mothers who lost a son or daughter in military service to the United States. Founded in 1928 and chartered by Congress, the organization supports its members and serves veterans, their families, and their communities. Gold Star Mother’s Day is observed each year on the last Sunday in September. National Capital Flag is not affiliated with the organization; we make the Gold Star Mothers flag.

• Gold Star Mother’s Day: the last Sunday in September.
• Memorial Day: the last Monday in May. Fly the American flag at half-staff until noon, then raise it to the peak.
• Gold Star Spouses Day: April 5.
• Veterans Day: November 11.
• Any day a family in your community is grieving a loss in service.