The purpose of this website is to ensure that Gold Star Fathers are not alone during the funeral ceremonies of their lost children who have died for our freedom.

At the conclusion of World War II, Congress established the Gold Star Lapel Button to provide an appropriate means to identify widows and widowers, children, parents, brothers and sisters of members of the Armed Forces of the United States who lost their lives in the defense of democracy and freedom during the World Wars I and II; and any subsequent armed hostilities in which the United States became engaged.

The Gold Star Lapel Button's unique design incorporates the symbols that indicated the family's loss; the Laurel Wreath Border signifies valor; the purple field signifies the family's grief or mourning; the Gold Star has been used since World War I to signify 'Died in a Combat Theater'.


I, "Stephen Ray Blackwell", do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God".

"I, "__________", having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of "Second Lieutenant", do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God."