Mission & History
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.
Since 2007, the Luminary Initiative has taken hold with individuals, groups and organizations lighting luminaries to honor Gold Star Family members around the United States; whether a few luminaries on a front lawn or hundreds in a community event, the impact is the same: the country shares your loss on this day and we want to keep their memories alive.
Last year there were over 400 pledges taken. There were events held in 40 states with thousands of participants. So far this year we have had 291 people sign the pledge or hold an event. There will be 1,735 participants attending those events. Our goal is to reach 1,000 people sign the pledge, and to have events held in all 50 states.
We urge everyone to spread the word of the Luminary Initiative in order to maximize the support for Gold Star Family Day.