A new statue to honor Gold Star Mothers will be unveiled September 24 at the Grand Traverse Area Veterans Memorial Park pending city commission approval of the project tonight (Monday).

“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. “The addition of a Gold Star Mothers statue adds a powerful emotional feel to the park, not only paying tribute to and honoring our fallen heroes, but their families who have sacrificed as well to protect our freedom and our country.”

The northern Michigan group includes veterans, gold star mothers, blue star mothers and supporters of veterans. A public unveiling ceremony for the statue is planned from 2pm to 4pm on Gold Star Mother's Day, which is always observed on the last Sunday of September to honor the families who have given the greatest gift the nation can receive.

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.

In 2015, a group gathered at the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Traverse City to honor Gold Star Mothers, according to Owens, whose son Army Specialist Joseph Lancour was serving in the  173rd Brigade when he was killed in an ambush in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan in November 2007.

“We had 13 members when we started three years ago,” says Owens. “Now we have more than 30 mothers in northern Michigan who have gone from blue to gold star in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

The organization helps families connect and assists them in finding available benefits and counseling. The group provides resources and tools to help them deal with loss. They can also help when there is a small financial need, such as a utility bill, an inexpensive car repair or transportation.

The statue at the Memorial Park will honor the families and act as a reminder that freedom isn’t free, according to Owens. “Nothing can replace the void left by losing a loved one in service to the country, but a memorial such as this can preserve their memories and honor the families,” she says.

The statue was funded though contributions from the community. More than $60,000 was raised for the project through Blue to Gold Star Mothers, VFW groups, civic organizations and private individuals. The project has been approved by city staff and the city's arts and park and recreation commissions, and will go before city commissioners for final approval tonight. The impactful memorial features a mother clutching a flag, cradling it like she would an infant, and grieving. The statue complements the other memorials at the park and will be the only one of its kind in the state of Michigan. 

“She’s a reminder to keep the memories of lost loved ones alive, to tell their stories and histories so that their sacrifices are never forgotten,” says Owens.

Pictured: Site of the planned Gold Star Mothers statue at Grand Traverse Area Veterans Memorial Park