Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day

Today is Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, a day of remembrance and a day to recognize the families who carry the loss of a loved one who died in service to our nation.

The Gold Star tradition reaches back to World War I, when families displayed service flags with a blue star representing each family member serving in the Armed Forces. When a service member died, the blue star was replaced by a gold star. From that tradition came the terms Gold Star Mother and Gold Star Family.

In 1936, Congress designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother’s Day. Over the years, the observance has broadened to recognize the families who have shared in that loss, and today we observe Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day.

Behind every Gold Star is a name, a life, and a family. The star represents a sacrifice that does not end when the ceremonies and honors are over. For the mothers, fathers, spouses, children, siblings and other family members left behind, that loss remains a part of their lives.

Today, the Air & Space Forces Association Palm Springs Chapter 134 joins communities across the nation in honoring our Gold Star Mothers and Families. We remember their loved ones and recognize the sacrifice of those who served and the families who carry their memory forward.

Their sacrifice. Our gratitude. Always.

National Purple Heart Day Honoring Service and Sacrifice

Every year on National Purple Heart Day we see photographs of the medal, lists of famous recipients, and the history behind its creation. All of that is important. But perhaps the most remarkable thing about the Purple Heart is that no one ever sets out to earn one.

Unlike many military decorations that recognize extraordinary achievement or acts of valor, the Purple Heart is different. It is awarded to those who were wounded or killed as a direct result of enemy action while serving our nation. It is not a medal earned through competition or nomination. It is a reminder of the cost of military service and the sacrifices made by those who answered the call.

Every Purple Heart represents a personal story. Some recipients returned home carrying lifelong physical or emotional wounds. Others never returned at all. Behind every medal is an individual who placed duty above personal safety, and behind every individual is a family whose life was changed forever.

The Air & Space Forces Association exists to support Airmen, Guardians, and their families while educating the public about aerospace power. National Purple Heart Day reminds us that behind every medal is a person, behind every person is a family, and behind every family is a story that deserves to be remembered.

Today we honor all Purple Heart recipients, many of whom are members and friends of AFA Palm Springs Chapter 134, with our gratitude, our respect, and our commitment to never forget the sacrifices they made in service to our nation.

Thank You!

Honoring Sacrifice on National Purple Heart Day

Today, August 7th, we pause to recognize the extraordinary bravery and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded or killed in combat.

The Purple Heart, originally established by General George Washington in 1782 as the Badge of Military Merit, stands as one of the oldest and most respected military decorations still in use. It is awarded to those who have shed blood in service to our nation — a symbol of courage, resilience, and dedication beyond self.

At AFA Palm Springs, we honor all Purple Heart recipients — past and present — for their service and their sacrifice. This solemn observance reminds us of the real cost of freedom and the enduring legacy of those who have borne that burden.

Let us never forget their stories, their names, and the values they stood for.