The Voice of America  reports that “Gold Star families have been in the news a lot in the United States over the past week. But not all Americans know the term, which is important to military families.”  

“Gold Star families are immediate relatives of U.S. Armed Forces members who died in battle or in support of certain military activities. These relatives can be parents, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters or other loved ones.”  

“The term Gold Star was first used in World War I, when families flew flags with stars representing each loved one fighting in the conflict.”