Saturday, April 21, 2018
Dear Marine Families,

The mission of the Gold Star Luminary Initiative is to promote awareness of Gold Star Family Day, and urge organizations and individuals in communities throughout the United States to light luminaries at dusk on the last Sunday of each September in honor of our fallen heroes.

Tragically, in the last decade, almost 7,000 families have been forced to deal with the utterly devastating heartbreak of their children laying down their lives for their country.

Most of us have not experienced this tragedy. Most of us never will. We can't relate personally or begin to imagine what that must be like. What we can do, however, is honor and recognize these families. We can thank them for the sacrifices they and their children have made on our behalf. We can let them know that, no matter what, we support and stand behind them as a country and that, if even just for a day, their burden is our burden too.

God bless and Semper Fi
Show your support:
Show your support on Gold Star Family Day
Last year, 1017 people took the pledge and more than 4,690 people lit luminaries . T ake the pledge today and join the many people who have chose to honor the fallen on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Just complete our online form and mark your calendar for the last Sunday in September every year to light a luminary for Gold Star families.
Want to Make an even larger impact?
You can plan your own Luminary Initiative Event! Gather your friends, family, coworkers, and classmates. Have members of an organization you're a part of take the pledge and hold your own event!
Not a fan of planning events? Be a part of a Luminary Initiative Event near you!
Once a pledge decides to hold a Luminary Initiative Event, it's registered on the LI website . If you see a community event taking place in your area, you can attend!
Honor our fallen Heroes
The Luminary Initiative has been a major contributor towards honoring Gold Star families since 2007. The mission of the Luminary Initiative is to urge individuals, families, and organizations nationwide to light luminaries at dusk on the last Sunday in September, Gold Star Family Day, to honor our fallen heroes.

Last year, on the evening of Sunday, September 24, 2017, military supporters across the country came together to show their respect for Gold Star family members and to keep the memories of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our nation alive.

Events ranged from small to large, from individual family events to neighborhood and community-wide events. Some events had guest speakers, others took place at parks and memorials, and over 4,690 people lit luminaries along their driveways and sidewalks. Our goal is to have an even bigger participation this year.


View the 2018 Pledges
There are over 80 people across the country who have taken the pledge and committed to lighting a luminary on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Are there pledges in your City? If not, spread the word and plan a Luminary Lighting Event.