On Sept. 24, a new statue will be unveiled at the Grand Traverse Area Veterans Memorial Park to honor Gold Star Mothers.

“It will bring public awareness to and honor the mothers and families who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” says Starla Owens, president of Northern Michigan Blue to Gold Star Mothers, a northern Michigan group that includes veterans, gold star mothers, blue star mothers and supporters of veterans. The ceremony will be from 2-4 pm and open to the public.

The recognition of Gold Star Mothers dates back to World War I when it became a custom for family members to place a banner in a front window of their home with a blue star in the center of a white field. The star represented each man or woman serving in the U.S. military. If the soldier died in combat or from wounds or disease, a gold star would be placed over the blue, as a measure of respect for the sacrifice of the family.

The statue was funded though contributions from the community. More than $60,000 was raised for the memorial. To learn more, click here.